adjective

repellent

ruh-PEH-luhnt

adjective

Causing strong dislike or disgust.

"He found the whole idea morally repellent."

Able to keep something (water, insects) away.

"The jacket is made from a water-repellent fabric."

noun

A substance made to keep insects or other pests away.

"Don't forget the mosquito repellent for the camping trip."

How to Use Repellent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that pushes things away — either literally (bugs, water) or emotionally (disgust).

Common pairings

insect repellent water-repellent morally repellent

more repellent comparative, repellents plural, most repellent superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

He found the whole idea morally _____.

From Latin repellens, present participle of repellere, "to drive back." Formed from repel plus -ent.

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