detergent
3 synonyms for detergent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A cleaning agent, especially a manufactured chemical rather than traditional soap.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
detersive
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A cleaning agent, especially a manufactured chemical rather than traditional soap.
“Add a capful of laundry detergent to the wash.”
2. adj
Having a cleansing effect.
“The soap has a mild detergent action on oily skin.”
detersive
cleansing
How to use detergent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
laundry detergent
dish detergent
detergent powder
Etymology
From French détergent, from Latin dētergēns, "wiping off" — from dē- ("off") + tergēre ("to wipe").
Full origin of detergent →Frequently asked questions
What does “detergent” mean?
The word “detergent” means a cleaning agent, especially a manufactured chemical rather than traditional soap. In plain terms, a substance made to clean things, usually manufactured rather than a natural soap.
How do you pronounce “detergent”?
“Detergent” is pronounced dih-TURD-zhuhnt (/dɪˈtɝd͡ʒənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “detergent” in a sentence?
Here is “detergent” used in a sentence: “Add a capful of laundry detergent to the wash.”
What part of speech is “detergent”?
Depending on how it is used, “detergent” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “detergent” come from?
The word “detergent” comes from Latin. From French détergent, from Latin dētergēns, "wiping off" — from dē- ("off") + tergēre ("to wipe").
Is “detergent” a common word?
“Detergent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “detergent” have?
“Detergent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cleaning agent, especially a manufactured chemical rather than traditional soap.
