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cotton ball

American  
[kot-n bawl] / ˈkɒt n ˌbɔl /

noun

  1. a small ball of absorbent cotton.

    The vet showed me how to clean Poco’s ears with a cotton ball soaked in this solution.


Etymology

Origin of cotton ball

First recorded in 1750–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I don rubber gloves and soak a cotton ball with it, then rub it in for about two minutes.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

The cleverest hack is to simply soak a cotton ball in your favorite essential oil, drop it in the bottom of your trash can under the liner, and voila!

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2022

The material in the connective tissue gives it a loose consistency similar to a cotton ball that has been pulled apart.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Her well-coiffed white hair was as puffy as a cotton ball.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2020

Dari grinned and ducked his head as he grabbed a cotton ball.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

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