adj
Uncommon
saline
SAY-lyn
Saline (adj) means containing salt, or tasting of it. Example: “The desert soil was too saline for most crops to survive.”
adj
1
Containing salt, or tasting of it.
"The desert soil was too saline for most crops to survive."
"Doctors gave her a saline drip to keep her hydrated."
noun
1
A solution of salt in water, especially one used medically.
"The nurse flushed the wound with saline before dressing it."
How to use saline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSalty, or a saltwater solution — most often heard in a hospital or lab context.
Common pairings
saline solution
saline drip
saline water
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Word forms
- Plural
- salines
- Comparative
- more saline
- Superlative
- most saline
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The desert soil was too _____ for most crops to survive.
Etymology
From Latin salinus, "of salt," itself from sal, "salt" — the same root behind salt, salary, and salsa.
Synonyms
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saline solution
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for saline
See all rhymes for saline →Frequently asked questions
What does “saline” mean?
The word “saline” means containing salt, or tasting of it. In plain terms, salty, or a saltwater solution — most often heard in a hospital or lab context.
How do you pronounce “saline”?
“Saline” is pronounced SAY-lyn (/ˈseɪ.lin/ in IPA).
How do you use “saline” in a sentence?
Here is “saline” used in a sentence: “The desert soil was too saline for most crops to survive.”
What part of speech is “saline”?
Depending on how it is used, “saline” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “saline” come from?
The word “saline” comes from Latin. From Latin salinus, "of salt," itself from sal, "salt" — the same root behind salt, salary, and salsa.
Is “saline” a common word?
“Saline” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “saline” have?
“Saline” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: containing salt, or tasting of it.
