ointment Meaning & Definition
What Does Ointment Mean?
As a noun, ointment means A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient. It is also used to mean A substance used to anoint, as in religious rituals.
Quick Facts About Ointment
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈɔɪntm(ə)nt// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | emollient, salve and cream |
| Plural | ointments |
Ointment Definition (Noun)
- A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the wound.
- A substance used to anoint, as in religious rituals.
Synonyms of Ointment
Ointment synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Ointment
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Ointment in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the wound.
She applied a soothing herbal ointment to her dry skin.
Word Forms & Grammar
ointment (countable and uncountable, plural ointments)
Words That Rhyme With Ointment
Origin of Ointment
A later form (as if oint + -ment) of Middle English oinement, borrowed from Old French oignement (“an anointing”), from oigner, oindre, ongier (“to anoint”), from Latin ung(u)ō (“I anoint”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (“to smear, anoint”). Partly displaced native Old English sealf, whence modern salve. Displaced native Old English smireness (“ointment, oil”).
Pronouncing Ointment
You say ointment as //ˈɔɪntm(ə)nt//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Ointment
What part of speech is ointment?
Ointment is a noun.
What is another word for ointment?
You can replace ointment with words such as emollient, salve and cream. See the full list of ointment synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of ointment?
The plural of ointment is ointments.