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 lather1
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.
She ate more black beans, lathered her scalp with French soap and opted for root perms.
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
This dread has been my constant companion ever since I lathered up, rinsed and watched handfuls of dirty blonde strands circle the drain three weeks ago.
From Los Angeles Times
Three days later he returned, the horses lathered and winded as if they had run the Derby.
From Literature
A good sport, he changed into a towel and robe and patiently waited for his cue to start lathering up.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
