noun
disinfectant
dihs-ihn-FEHK-tuhnt
Disinfectant (noun) means a chemical product used to kill germs on surfaces or objects. Example: “She wiped the table down with disinfectant after dinner.”
noun
1
A chemical product used to kill germs on surfaces or objects.
"She wiped the table down with disinfectant after dinner."
"The hospital uses a strong disinfectant on all its floors."
adjective
1
Able to kill germs.
"The spray has disinfectant properties."
How to use disinfectant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cleaning product strong enough to kill germs, not just remove visible dirt.
Common pairings
spray disinfectant
disinfectant wipes
household disinfectant
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Word forms
- Plural
- disinfectants
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wiped the table down with _____ after dinner.
Etymology
From disinfect plus the suffix -ant ("agent that does something"), following the French désinfectant.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for disinfectant
See all rhymes for disinfectant →Frequently asked questions
What does “disinfectant” mean?
The word “disinfectant” means a chemical product used to kill germs on surfaces or objects. In plain terms, a cleaning product strong enough to kill germs, not just remove visible dirt.
How do you pronounce “disinfectant”?
“Disinfectant” is pronounced dihs-ihn-FEHK-tuhnt (/dɪs.ɪnˈfɛktənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “disinfectant” in a sentence?
Here is “disinfectant” used in a sentence: “She wiped the table down with disinfectant after dinner.”
What part of speech is “disinfectant”?
Depending on how it is used, “disinfectant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “disinfectant” come from?
The word “disinfectant” comes from French. From disinfect plus the suffix -ant ("agent that does something"), following the French désinfectant.
How many meanings does “disinfectant” have?
“Disinfectant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical product used to kill germs on surfaces or objects.
