repellent

Or re·pel·lant

[ri-pel-uhnt]

adjective

1. causing distaste or aversion; repulsive.

   Synonyms: loathsome, distasteful, disgusting, repugnant

2. forcing or driving back.

3. serving or tending to ward off or drive away.

4. impervious or resistant to something (often used in combination).

   moth-repellant.

noun

1. something that repels, as a substance that keeps away insects.

2. a medicine that serves to prevent or reduce swellings, tumors, etc.

3. any of various durable or nondurable solutions applied to a fabric, garment, surface, etc., to increase its resistance, as to water, moths, mildew, etc.

repellent

/ rɪˈpɛlənt /

adjective

1. giving rise to disgust or aversion; distasteful or repulsive

2. driving or forcing away or back; repelling

noun

1. something, esp a chemical substance, that repels

   insect repellent

2. a substance with which fabrics are treated to increase their resistance to water

Other Word Forms

• repellently adverb
• repellence noun
• interrepellent adjective
• nonrepellent adjective
• self-repellent adjective
• unrepellent adjective
• unrepellently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of repellent¹

1635–45; < Latin repellent- (stem of repellēns ), present participle of repellere to drive back. See repel, -ent

Example Sentences

Davis encouraged residents to use insect repellent, get rid of standing water around their homes and install or repair windows to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials urge travelers to keep open wounds clean and covered, avoid insect bites, and wear hats, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants, socks, and insect repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as effective.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts point out that prevention is key when visiting rural areas in affected regions, which includes keeping any open wounds clean and covered, and using an insect repellent.

From BBC

Measures include wearing long pants tucked into boots, using a bug repellent with DEET, never feeding or touching rodents, refraining from camping near animal burrows or dead rodents, and leaving dogs at home when possible.

From Los Angeles Times

With your protective clothes on, apply insect repellent to garments and exposed skin, according to the state public health department.

From Los Angeles Times