noun
laxative
LAK-suh-tihv
Laxative (noun) means a substance, food, or medicine that stimulates bowel movement. Example: “The doctor recommended a mild laxative for his constipation.”
noun
1
A substance, food, or medicine that stimulates bowel movement.
"The doctor recommended a mild laxative for his constipation."
"According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the US is having a love affair with laxatives; Americans of all ages are ingesting so much of the stuff that there are now shortages nationwide."
— Arwa Mahdawi, The US has such a love affair with laxatives that there is now a national shortage. This is not normal (2023)
adj
1
Having the effect of easing bowel movement.
"Prunes are known for their laxative effect."
How to use laxative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that helps you go to the toilet more easily.
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Word forms
- Plural
- laxatives
- Comparative
- more laxative
- Superlative
- most laxative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor recommended a mild _____ for his constipation.
Etymology
From Latin laxātīvus, "loosening" — from laxus, "loose."
Antonyms
costive
Rhymes for laxative
See all rhymes for laxative →Frequently asked questions
What does “laxative” mean?
The word “laxative” means a substance, food, or medicine that stimulates bowel movement. In plain terms, something that helps you go to the toilet more easily.
How do you pronounce “laxative”?
“Laxative” is pronounced LAK-suh-tihv (/ˈlæk.sə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “laxative” in a sentence?
Here is “laxative” used in a sentence: “The doctor recommended a mild laxative for his constipation.”
What part of speech is “laxative”?
Depending on how it is used, “laxative” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “laxative” come from?
The word “laxative” comes from Latin. From Latin laxātīvus, "loosening" — from laxus, "loose.".
How many meanings does “laxative” have?
“Laxative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance, food, or medicine that stimulates bowel movement.
