deodorant

[dee-oh-der-uhnt]

noun

1. an agent for destroying odors.

2. a substance, often combined with an antiperspirant, for inhibiting or masking perspiration or other bodily odors.

adjective

1. capable of destroying odors.

   a deodorant cream.

deodorant

/ diːˈəʊdərənt /

noun

1. 1. a substance applied to the body to suppress or mask the odour of perspiration or other body odours

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare antiperspirant

      a deodorant spray

2. any substance for destroying or masking odours, such as liquid sprayed into the air

Other Word Forms

• nondeodorant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deodorant¹

First recorded in 1865–70; de- + odor + -ant

Example Sentences

One advert for a deodorant called Mum, published in an American magazine in 1938, urged women to "face the truth about underarm perspiration odour".

Read more on BBC

Keaton made $6,000 for “The Godfather,” less than a quarter of her salary for the national deodorant commercial she’d shot a year earlier.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those benefits may include access to menopause specialists, coverage for medical treatments, educational resources and in-office amenities including quiet rooms and “comfort closets” stocked with supplies such as fans and deodorant.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Personally, I’m skipping the Strawberry Frosted pits,” Altman said, referring to one of the deodorant scents from the Native collection.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She said she misses being able to spray her deodorant or hairspray because of the damage to her hands.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cleanser 
• cosmetic 
• disinfectant