Van der Waals refers to the attractive or repulsive forces between molecules, atoms or ions that exist when they are close together. These forces were originally described by Dutch physics scientist Johannes van der Waals in the late 19th century. Synonyms for the word Van der Waals include dispersion forces, London forces, weak intermolecular forces, and molecular interactions. These forces are essential for many biological and physical processes such as drug-receptor interactions, protein folding, and adhesion. Understanding the nature of Van der Waals forces is crucial for various fields of science including materials science, chemistry, and biology. The proper application and manipulation of these forces have many practical applications and important technological implications.