ointment
9 synonyms for ointment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thick, oily paste, often medicated, applied to the skin to treat or soothe it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ointment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
apply ointment
antiseptic ointment
a soothing ointment
Etymology
From Old French oignement, "an anointing", from a Latin verb meaning "to smear or anoint" — the same root as the word "anoint".
Full origin of ointment →Frequently asked questions
What does “ointment” mean?
The word “ointment” means a thick, oily paste, often medicated, applied to the skin to treat or soothe it. In plain terms, a greasy, often medicated cream rubbed onto the skin to treat a cut, burn, rash, or similar problem.
How do you pronounce “ointment”?
“Ointment” is pronounced OYNTMNT (/ˈɔɪn(t)m(ə)nt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ointment” in a sentence?
Here is “ointment” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed an ointment for the rash.”
What is another word for “ointment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ointment” include salve, unguent, pomatum, pomade and pomate.
What part of speech is “ointment”?
“Ointment” is a noun.
Where does the word “ointment” come from?
The word “ointment” comes from Latin. From Old French oignement, "an anointing", from a Latin verb meaning "to smear or anoint" — the same root as the word "anoint".
