detox

American  

[dee-toks, dee-toks] / ˈdiˌtɒks, diˈtɒks /

verb (used without object)

detoxes, present (3rd person singular) detoxed, past participle, past detoxing present participle

1. to rid the body or a bodily organ of a poison, toxin, or drug (often followed byfrom ).

   You should detox from alcohol under medical care, as acute alcohol withdrawal can cause delirium or seizures.

2. to undergo a period of treatment to overcome physical and psychological dependence on alcohol or drugs.

   The drug is often prescribed to aid recovering opiate addicts as they detox and heal.

3. to take a deliberate break from an activity or practice believed to be harmful or addictive.

   I tried digitally detoxing while I was on vacation—I didn't touch a computer or social media at all.

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verb (used with object)

detoxes, present (3rd person singular) detoxed, past participle, past detoxing present participle

1. to remove toxins, drugs, or other harmful substances from (the body or a bodily organ).

   Here are some foods and spices that are believed to strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, and detox the liver.

2. to remove (toxins, drugs, or other harmful substances) from the body or a bodily organ.

   They claim that using the sauna regularly may detox heavy metals and toxic chemicals, lower blood pressure, and improve heart health.

noun

detoxes plural

1. the process of ridding the body or a bodily organ of a poison, toxin, or drug; detoxification.

   One of the first steps in addiction treatment is detox, removing the drug from the patient's system through a medically supervised withdrawal process.

2. Also called detoxification.  a program of treatment or a medical or therapeutic facility for helping a person overcome physical and psychological dependence on alcohol or drugs; rehab.

   Here’s yet another clickbait story about a celebrity going into detox.

3. a treatment, diet, program, etc., intended to remove toxins from the body or from a specific bodily organ.

   This clay mask is perfect for a skin detox, providing your skin with a chance to renew itself and regenerate skin cells.

4. a deliberate break or time away from an activity or practice believed to be harmful or addictive.

   Is a digital detox really necessary?

adjective

1. of or relating to a period of treatment or a medical or therapeutic facility in which a person is helped to overcome physical and psychological dependence on alcohol or drugs.

   Detox therapy can range in length, but most programs take about ten days.

2. of or relating to a treatment, diet, program, etc., intended to remove toxins from the body or from a specific bodily organ.

   Changing your diet will help, but a colon detox program might also improve your symptoms.

detox British  

/ ˈdiːˌtɒks /

noun

1. treatment designed to rid the body of poisonous substances, esp alcohol and drugs

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verb

1. to undergo treatment to rid the body of poisonous substances, esp alcohol and drugs

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• detoxes
  plural

Participles

• detoxing
  present
• detoxed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• detox
  simple
• detoxes
  simple
• have detoxed
  perfect
• has detoxed
  perfect
• are detoxing
  progressive
• am detoxing
  progressive
• is detoxing
  progressive
• have been detoxing
  perfect progressive
• has been detoxing
  perfect progressive

Past

• detoxed
  simple
• had detoxed
  perfect
• was detoxing
  progressive
• were detoxing
  progressive
• had been detoxing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will detox
  simple
• will have detoxed
  perfect
• will be detoxing
  progressive
• will have been detoxing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of detox

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; by shortening

Example Sentences

That has not stopped her from trying to give the results of The Plastic Detox the appearance of legitimate science.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Silent Spring has been working on apps that help consumers demystify what’s in their personal care products, such as Detox Me.

From National Geographic • Sep. 6, 2023

‘Drag Yourself to the Valley’ Drag artists Detox and Alyssa Edwards from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” are featured and fab-u-lous in this Pride shindig hosted by Billy Francesca.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2023

A key turning point, according to Blackburn, was Greenpeace’s Detox campaign in the mid-2010s, which started publicly targeting some outdoor apparel companies about their use of fluorochemicals.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Mr. Granda’s social media posts show he recently founded a company called Gaming Detox that tries to foster fitness among the video gaming community.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2020