repellent
Repellent (adjective) means causing strong dislike or disgust. Example: “He found the whole idea morally repellent.”
How to use repellent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that pushes things away — either literally (bugs, water) or emotionally (disgust).
Word forms
more repellent comparative, repellents plural, most repellent superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He found the whole idea morally _____.
Etymology
From Latin repellens, present participle of repellere, "to drive back." Formed from repel plus -ent.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for repellent
See all rhymes for repellent →Frequently asked questions
What does “repellent” mean?
The word “repellent” means causing strong dislike or disgust. In plain terms, something that pushes things away — either literally (bugs, water) or emotionally (disgust).
How do you pronounce “repellent”?
“Repellent” is pronounced ruh-PEH-luhnt (/ɹəˈpɛlənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “repellent” in a sentence?
Here is “repellent” used in a sentence: “He found the whole idea morally repellent.”
What part of speech is “repellent”?
Depending on how it is used, “repellent” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “repellent” come from?
The word “repellent” comes from Latin. From Latin repellens, present participle of repellere, "to drive back." Formed from repel plus -ent.
How many meanings does “repellent” have?
“Repellent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing strong dislike or disgust.