detergent
/dɪˈtɜːdʒənt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈtər-jənt/ (ame, mw)
detergent — noun
- detergentsingular
- detergentsplural
1. a powder or liquid that you mix with water to remove dirt and grease from clothe
a powder or liquid that you mix with water to remove dirt and grease from clothes, dishes, floors, and other surfaces
The chef added detergent to the dishwater to cut the grease on the frying pan.
verb + detergent + to-infinitive purpose
The housekeeper poured detergent into the washing machine before loading the white shirts and tablecloths.
verb + detergent: poured detergent into
This laundry detergent works well on grass stains but is gentle enough for baby clothes.
The supermarket offers both liquid and powder detergent, as well as single-dose tablets for convenience.
Hot water alone cannot lift oil stains from cloth; strong detergent breaks down the grease.
- washing powder
British English term for powdered detergent used in laundry; less common for liquids
- soap powder
older term that conflates soap and detergent; still used in some product names
- cleanser
broader term that includes kitchen and bathroom cleaning products, not just laundry or dish items
文法句型
detergent + noun (modifier)
liquid detergent / laundry detergent
用法筆記
Unlike soap, detergent should not be used for washing the body — it is formulated for laundry and dishwashing, not for skin. Use soap or body wash for personal hygiene.
常見錯誤
detergent — adjective
- detergentpositive
- more detergentcomparative
- most detergentsuperlative
1. describes a substance or chemical compound that can remove dirt through a chemic
describes a substance or chemical compound that can remove dirt through a chemical process; used mostly in scientific or technical descriptions of cleaning ability
The lab tested several detergent compounds to see which removed oil from metal parts best.
detergent compound — adjective modifying a noun in a technical context
Many modern detergent products contain enzymes that break down protein stains like blood or egg.
This new detergent formula is phosphate-free, so it is safer for rivers and lakes.
文法句型
detergent + noun (chemical compound / formula / action / property)
用法筆記
The adjective form appears almost exclusively before nouns like 'compound', 'formula', 'action', or 'properties'. In everyday speech, 'detergent' is used as a noun or noun modifier (laundry detergent), not as an adjective.