noun
antiseptic
an-tee-SEHP-tihk
Antiseptic (noun) means a substance applied to skin or wounds to stop the growth of germs and prevent infection. Example: “She dabbed antiseptic on the scrape before covering it with a plaster.”
noun
1
A substance applied to skin or wounds to stop the growth of germs and prevent infection.
"She dabbed antiseptic on the scrape before covering it with a plaster."
adj
1
Preventing infection by stopping the growth of germs.
"The nurse cleaned the wound with an antiseptic solution."
How to use antiseptic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that kills germs on skin or wounds, unlike a disinfectant used on surfaces.
Common mistake
Antiseptics are for skin and living tissue; disinfectants are for surfaces and objects — they aren't interchangeable.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- antiseptics
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She dabbed _____ on the scrape before covering it with a plaster.
Etymology
Built from anti- ("against") and septic (relating to infection or decay).
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for antiseptic
See all rhymes for antiseptic →Frequently asked questions
What does “antiseptic” mean?
The word “antiseptic” means a substance applied to skin or wounds to stop the growth of germs and prevent infection. In plain terms, something that kills germs on skin or wounds, unlike a disinfectant used on surfaces.
How do you pronounce “antiseptic”?
“Antiseptic” is pronounced an-tee-SEHP-tihk (/ˌæntiˈsɛptɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “antiseptic” in a sentence?
Here is “antiseptic” used in a sentence: “She dabbed antiseptic on the scrape before covering it with a plaster.”
What part of speech is “antiseptic”?
Depending on how it is used, “antiseptic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “antiseptic” come from?
The word “antiseptic” comes from Latin. Built from anti- ("against") and septic (relating to infection or decay).
How many meanings does “antiseptic” have?
“Antiseptic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance applied to skin or wounds to stop the growth of germs and prevent infection.
