antiseptic
antiseptic — noun
- antisepticsingular
- antisepticsplural
1. a liquid, cream, or similar substance put on skin or a wound to kill germs and h
a liquid, cream, or similar substance put on skin or a wound to kill germs and help stop infection
Evelyn poured antiseptic onto the cut before wrapping her ankle.
pour antiseptic onto a wound
The school nurse keeps antiseptic beside the sink for small burns.
Please buy an antiseptic that does not sting broken skin.
Campers cleaned the scrape with antiseptic and a strip of gauze.
- disinfectant
often used for cleaning objects and surfaces, not always living skin
- sanitizer
common for hands and surfaces, often less specific than antiseptic
- germicide
a more technical word for something that kills germs
文法句型
pour antiseptic onto a cut
use an antiseptic on a burn
keep antiseptic beside the sink
用法筆記
Usually refers to something used on the outside of the body before a wound is covered. Distinguish it from antibiotics, which are taken or given inside the body to fight infection.
常見錯誤
antiseptic — adjective
- antisepticpositive
- more antisepticcomparative
- most antisepticsuperlative
1. made to kill germs, stop infection, or keep something safe from germs
made to kill germs, stop infection, or keep something safe from germs
The nurse wiped the scrape with antiseptic cream before bandaging it.
antiseptic + cream for minor injuries
Gabriel bought antiseptic wipes before taking the children camping.
The clinic changed gloves often to keep every surface antiseptic.
Doctors store the instruments in antiseptic solution after each use.
- germ-free
more everyday and often less technical than antiseptic
- sterile
usually suggests a stricter medical standard with no living germs present
- disinfected
focuses more on the cleaning process than on the final protective quality
- contaminated
carrying germs or other harmful material
- dirty
broader and more everyday, often about visible dirt rather than germs
文法句型
antiseptic cream
antiseptic wipes
keep something antiseptic
用法筆記
Usually describes creams, wipes, washes, or conditions in medical and first-aid settings. Distinguish it from adjective/2, which comments on a cold, impersonal appearance rather than protection from germs.
常見錯誤
2. so neat and spotless that it feels cold, lifeless, or without personality
so neat and spotless that it feels cold, lifeless, or without personality
The hotel lobby looked antiseptic, with white walls and no music.
look antiseptic in a bare space
Her apartment felt antiseptic after she removed every photo and plant.
Critics said the new office was antiseptic rather than welcoming.
The redesigned website seems antiseptic, as if no person made it.
- clinical
similar for spaces that feel cold and functional
- impersonal
broader, focusing on lack of human warmth
- stark
stresses plainness and lack of softness more than cleanliness
文法句型
look antiseptic
feel antiseptic
an antiseptic office
用法筆記
Often describes interiors, design, or behavior that seem too perfect and emotionally distant. It usually carries criticism, unlike adjective/1, which is a literal medical or hygiene sense.