noun
antibiotic
an-tee-beye-OT-ihk
noun
1
A medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing, used to treat bacterial infections.
"The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for her ear infection."
"Overusing antibiotics has led to bacteria that are harder to treat."
adj
1
Relating to substances that fight bacterial infection.
"The cream has antibiotic properties that help prevent the cut from getting infected."
How to Use Antibiotic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA drug that fights off bacteria, not viruses.
Common mistake
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral ones like the common cold or flu — taking them for a virus doesn't help and can contribute to resistance.
Word Forms
more antibiotic comparative, antibiotics plural, most antibiotic superlative
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The doctor prescribed a course of _____ for her ear infection.
Etymology
Borrowed from French antibiotique, built from anti- ("against") and -biotic ("relating to life," from Greek bios).
Rhymes for antibiotic
exotic
erotic
robotic
chaotic
idiotic
neurotic
narcotic
hypnotic
amniotic
patriotic
symbiotic
psychotic
See all rhymes for antibiotic →