ointment
Ointment (noun) means a thick, oily paste, often medicated, applied to the skin to treat or soothe it. Example: “The doctor prescribed an ointment for the rash.”
How to use ointment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA greasy, often medicated cream rubbed onto the skin to treat a cut, burn, rash, or similar problem.
Word forms
ointments plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor prescribed an _____ for the rash.
Etymology
From Old French oignement, "an anointing", from a Latin verb meaning "to smear or anoint" — the same root as the word "anoint".
Related words
Rhymes for ointment
See all rhymes for ointment →Frequently asked questions
What does “ointment” mean?
The word “ointment” means a thick, oily paste, often medicated, applied to the skin to treat or soothe it. In plain terms, a greasy, often medicated cream rubbed onto the skin to treat a cut, burn, rash, or similar problem.
How do you pronounce “ointment”?
“Ointment” is pronounced OYNTMNT (/ˈɔɪn(t)m(ə)nt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ointment” in a sentence?
Here is “ointment” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed an ointment for the rash.”
What is another word for “ointment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ointment” include salve, unguent, pomatum, pomade and pomate.
What part of speech is “ointment”?
“Ointment” is a noun.
Where does the word “ointment” come from?
The word “ointment” comes from Latin. From Old French oignement, "an anointing", from a Latin verb meaning "to smear or anoint" — the same root as the word "anoint".
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include ointment: