inhalant

IPA/ɪnˈheɪlənt/
KK[ˌɪnhˈelənt]IPA/ɪnˈheɪlənt/

inhalant — noun

  • inhalantsingular
  • inhalantsplural

1. a household or industrial chemical product whose fumes are breathed in on purpos

1.名詞B2
釋義

a household or industrial chemical product whose fumes are breathed in on purpose to create a temporary feeling of drunkenness or excitement, usually with serious health risks

例句

Police warned parents about teenagers sniffing household inhalants such as spray paint or glue.

collocation: sniff + inhalant / household inhalants

The doctor explained how volatile inhalants can cause permanent damage to the brain and nerves.

collocation: volatile inhalants

同義詞
  • solvent

    focuses on the chemical type — many abused inhalants are organic solvents such as toluene or acetone

  • volatile substance

    formal or clinical term used in public-health warnings

文法句型

inhalant + (to be) abused / misused

inhalant + (to) sniff / huff

用法筆記

In Taiwan the substances most commonly discussed in this sense are organic solvents (有機溶劑) found in glue, paint thinner, and cleaning sprays. The verbs 'sniff' and 'huff' are used specifically for this sense and are not interchangeable with 'inhale' for medical inhalants.

常見錯誤

❌He used an inhalant to treat his cold.' (when referring to the abused substance)
✅He used a medical inhaler to treat his cold.
💡The abused-substance sense refers to toxic household chemicals, not medicines. Use 'inhaler' or 'medical inhalant' for the medicine sense.

2. a liquid or powder taken by drawing it into the lungs through a device, typicall

2.名詞B1
釋義

a liquid or powder taken by drawing it into the lungs through a device, typically to ease asthma or other breathing problems

例句

The doctor prescribed an inhalant for Noor's severe asthma attacks.

collocation: prescribe + inhalant

The nurse showed Sirin how to load the dose into the inhalant device.

同義詞
  • inhaler

    commonly used interchangeably, though strictly an inhaler is the device that delivers the inhalant medicine

  • bronchodilator

    technical term for the type of medicine that opens the airways

  • puffer

    informal British term for an asthma inhaler device

文法句型

inhalant + (to) prescribe / use

inhalant + for [condition]

用法筆記

This sense is often found in the phrase 'medical inhalant' to avoid confusion with the abused-substance sense. The handheld device used to deliver the medicine is called an 'inhaler' — the inhalant is the medicine itself, not the device.

常見錯誤

❌I need to refill my inhalant.' (when meaning the device)
✅I need to refill my inhaler.
💡'Inhalant' is the medicine; 'inhaler' is the plastic device that holds and sprays it.