lather
1 Americannoun
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foam or froth made by a detergent, especially soap, when stirred or rubbed in water, as by a brush used in shaving or by hands in washing.
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foam or froth formed in profuse sweating, as on a horse.
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Informal. a state of excitement, agitation, nervous tension, or the like.
He was in a lather over my delay.
verb (used without object)
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to form a lather.
a soap that lathers well.
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to become covered with lather, as a horse.
verb (used with object)
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to apply lather to; cover with lather.
He lathered his face before shaving.
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Informal. to beat or whip.
noun
noun
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foam or froth formed by the action of soap or a detergent in water
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foam formed by other liquid, such as the sweat of a horse
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informal a state of agitation or excitement
verb
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to coat or become coated with lather
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(intr) to form a lather
Other Word Forms
- latherer noun
- lathery adjective
- unlathered adjective
Etymology
Origin of lather1
before 950; Middle English; Old English lēathor soap; cognate with Old Norse lauthr ( Icelandic löthur ) lather, foam
Origin of lather2
Explanation
A lather is the froth soaps and detergents produce. Lathering also means to soap yourself up, and a lather can be a state of extreme agitation. When you're taking a shower, you make the soap frothy: this is a lather, and you're lathering when you create it. Rubbing soap on your body is also called lathering. Since lather is a stirred-up form of soap, it can also apply to emotions that have been stirred up. Someone upset is in a lather. Getting in a lather usually results from worry or anger, and it's an unpleasant state of mind.
Vocabulary lists containing lather
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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.
People should lather their hands with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds, including the back of their hands, between their fingers and under their nails, before rinsing and drying, the CDC says.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025
The apes picked leaves, chewed them into a green-white lather, and rubbed the substance onto their arms and legs.
From Science Magazine • May 1, 2024
Natural emulsifiers, such as xanthan gum and cetyl alcohol, are sometimes used to prevent organic shampoo from separating and enhance its soapy lather.
From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024
She will lather with this pebbled lump until nothing remains.
From Salon • Jul. 8, 2023
The Rileys’ cook had heard the whole thing; she just kept on working in the kitchen and watched Betty Jo and her lather.
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
