quarantine
0 antonyms and opposites of quarantine, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A period of enforced isolation imposed on people, animals, or goods to stop a disease from spreading.
How to use quarantine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Italian quarantina, "about forty," after the original 40-day isolation period imposed on ships arriving in Venice during plague outbreaks.
Full origin of quarantine →Frequently asked questions
What does “quarantine” mean?
The word “quarantine” means a period of enforced isolation imposed on people, animals, or goods to stop a disease from spreading. In plain terms, keeping someone or something separated from others until a health risk has passed.
How do you pronounce “quarantine”?
“Quarantine” is pronounced KWOR-uhn-teen (/ˈkwɔɹ.ən.tin/ in IPA).
How do you use “quarantine” in a sentence?
Here is “quarantine” used in a sentence: “Travelers arriving from the outbreak zone were placed in quarantine for two weeks.”
What part of speech is “quarantine”?
Depending on how it is used, “quarantine” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quarantine” come from?
The word “quarantine” comes from Italian. From Italian quarantina, "about forty," after the original 40-day isolation period imposed on ships arriving in Venice during plague outbreaks.
Is “quarantine” a common word?
“Quarantine” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “quarantine” have?
“Quarantine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period of enforced isolation imposed on people, animals, or goods to stop a disease from spreading.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine typically refers to separating people, animals, or goods who may have been exposed to a disease to see if they develop it, while isolation refers to separating those already confirmed to be sick. Quarantine is preventive; isolation is a response to a confirmed case.
Can quarantine apply to things other than people?
Yes, quarantine can apply to animals and goods as well as people, since its core meaning is enforced isolation to stop a disease or contamination from spreading. This is why shipments or imported animals can also be placed under quarantine.
Is quarantine used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, quarantine works as a noun describing the period or state of enforced isolation, and as a verb describing the act of placing someone or something into that isolation.