noun
sedative
SEH-duh-tihv
Sedative (noun) means a drug that calms a person or induces sleep. Example: “The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep.”
noun
1
A drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
"The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep."
adj
1
Having a calming or sleep-inducing effect.
"Chamomile tea is often said to have a sedative effect."
How to use sedative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (usually a drug) that calms you down or helps you sleep.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take a sedative
sedative effect
mild sedative
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Word forms
- Plural
- sedatives
- Comparative
- more sedative
- Superlative
- most sedative
Fill the gap
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The doctor prescribed a mild _____ to help her sleep.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin sedativus, from the same root as "sedate" — Latin sedare, "to calm."
Synonyms
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downer
depressant
sedative drug
ataractic
tranquillising
tranquilising
ataraxic
tranquilizing
tranquillizing
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sedative
See all rhymes for sedative →Frequently asked questions
What does “sedative” mean?
The word “sedative” means a drug that calms a person or induces sleep. In plain terms, something (usually a drug) that calms you down or helps you sleep.
How do you pronounce “sedative”?
“Sedative” is pronounced SEH-duh-tihv (/ˈsɛdətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “sedative” in a sentence?
Here is “sedative” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep.”
What part of speech is “sedative”?
Depending on how it is used, “sedative” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “sedative” come from?
The word “sedative” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin sedativus, from the same root as "sedate" — Latin sedare, "to calm.".
How many meanings does “sedative” have?
“Sedative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
