deterrent
dih-TEH-ruhnt
Deterrent (adj) means acting to discourage someone from doing something. Example: “The fine is meant to have a deterrent effect on speeding.”
adj
1
Acting to discourage someone from doing something.
"The fine is meant to have a deterrent effect on speeding."
noun
1
Something that discourages an action, especially through fear of consequences.
"A visible alarm system can be a strong deterrent to burglars."
"Nuclear weapons are often described as a deterrent rather than a weapon of use."
How to use deterrent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething put in place to scare or discourage people from doing something.
Common pairings
act as a deterrent
deterrent effect
nuclear deterrent
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Word forms
- Plural
- deterrents
- Comparative
- more deterrent
- Superlative
- most deterrent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fine is meant to have a _____ effect on speeding.
Etymology
From Latin deterrens, the present participle of deterrere ("to frighten away, deter").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “deterrent” mean?
The word “deterrent” means acting to discourage someone from doing something. In plain terms, something put in place to scare or discourage people from doing something.
How do you pronounce “deterrent”?
“Deterrent” is pronounced dih-TEH-ruhnt (/dɪˈtɝənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deterrent” in a sentence?
Here is “deterrent” used in a sentence: “The fine is meant to have a deterrent effect on speeding.”
What part of speech is “deterrent”?
Depending on how it is used, “deterrent” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “deterrent” come from?
The word “deterrent” comes from Latin. From Latin deterrens, the present participle of deterrere ("to frighten away, deter").
Is “deterrent” a common word?
“Deterrent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “deterrent” have?
“Deterrent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: acting to discourage someone from doing something.
