noun

disinfectant

dihs-ihn-FEHK-tuhnt

noun

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

Able to kill germs.

"The spray has disinfectant properties."

How to Use Disinfectant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA cleaning product strong enough to kill germs, not just remove visible dirt.

Common pairings

spray disinfectant disinfectant wipes household disinfectant

disinfectants plural

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She wiped the table down with _____ after dinner.

From disinfect plus the suffix -ant ("agent that does something"), following the French désinfectant.

expectant