Water is neither hydrophilic nor hydrophobic, because these terms only define the interaction of other molecules with water molecules.

False. Hydrophobic means that a molecule is water fearing. When these type of molecules are put into water, they do not dissolve (oil). Hydrophyiic means water loving. Molecules that are hydrophilic do dissolve in water (sugar). Water is considered the universal solvent because it is polar. This means it has a slightly positive charge on one end and a slightly negative charge on the other. This allows it to dissolve a number of substances.