serum
0 antonyms and opposites of serum, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A thin, lightweight skincare product, usually applied after cleansing and before a heavier cream, formulated to carry a high proportion of active ingredients in a small amount of liquid.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A thin, lightweight skincare product, usually applied after cleansing and before a heavier cream, formulated to carry a high proportion of active ingredients in a small amount of liquid.
“She kept the serum on the shelf above the sink and used it before her moisturiser.”
2. noun technical
In medicine, the clear pale fluid that separates from blood when it clots, containing no cells and no clotting proteins. It is the part of a blood sample many laboratory tests are run on.
“The lab measured cholesterol in the patient's serum.”
3. noun technical
A preparation made from the blood of a person or animal that carries antibodies, given to provide immediate protection against a poison or infection.
“Antivenom serum was flown to the hospital overnight.”
How to use serum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The skincare sense is everyday; the blood senses are technical and belong to medicine and laboratory science. The plural is serums or, in scientific writing, sera.
Etymology
From Latin serum, meaning whey or watery fluid.
Full origin of serum →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a serum and a moisturiser?
A serum is thin and is built to deliver a concentrated dose of specific ingredients; a moisturiser is generally richer and is built to soften the skin and slow water loss from its surface. They sit at different points in a routine, with the lighter serum going on first.
Is serum the same as plasma?
No. Plasma is the liquid part of blood including the clotting proteins; serum is what remains after blood has clotted, so the clotting proteins are gone. Laboratories treat the two as different sample types.
Why are serums sold in such small bottles?
Because they are concentrated and are applied in very small amounts, often a few drops. Bottle size reflects how the product is dosed rather than how long it lasts.