Tetravalent is a word that refers to an element or compound's ability to bond with four other atoms or ions. There are several words that can be used as synonyms for tetravalent, including quadrivalent, quadrivalent, and tetrafunctional. These words all describe the same property of having four valence electrons or four sites of attachment for bonding. Other related terms include tetrahedral, which describes the shape that four bonded atoms or groups can form, and tetramer, which refers to a molecule made up of four identical subunits. Understanding these synonyms can help improve scientific communication and clarify information about chemical reactions and properties.