saliva
4 synonyms for saliva, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The watery fluid produced in the mouth that keeps it moist, helps you chew and swallow, and starts breaking down food.
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.
How to use saliva
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
saliva sample
saliva test
excess saliva
More clinical than "spit" — used in medical, dental, and scientific contexts.
Etymology
From Latin saliva, "spit" — a word borrowed straight into English with its meaning intact.
Full origin of saliva →Frequently asked questions
What does “saliva” mean?
The word “saliva” means the watery fluid produced in the mouth that keeps it moist, helps you chew and swallow, and starts breaking down food. In plain terms, the everyday scientific word for spit.
How do you pronounce “saliva”?
“Saliva” is pronounced suh-LEYE-vuh (/səˈlaɪvə/ in IPA).
How do you use “saliva” in a sentence?
Here is “saliva” used in a sentence: “The dentist asked her not to swallow so he could check her saliva flow.”
What part of speech is “saliva”?
“Saliva” is a noun.
Where does the word “saliva” come from?
The word “saliva” comes from Latin. From Latin saliva, "spit" — a word borrowed straight into English with its meaning intact.
Is “saliva” a common word?
“Saliva” is an uncommon word in modern English.
