antiperspirant
antiperspirant Lexical Profile
antiperspirant Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cosmetic or medicinal substance applied to the skin, especially under the arms, to prevent or reduce sweating.
"She applied a unscented antiperspirant before heading to the gym for her morning workout."
• adjective
Preventing, inhibiting, or reducing the production of sweat.
"The dermatologist recommended an antiperspirant lotion for patients experiencing excessive sweating on their palms."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably with 'deodorant' in casual speech, an antiperspirant chemically blocks sweat glands to reduce perspiration, whereas a deodorant merely masks or neutralizes odor caused by bacteria.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 19th century from the prefix 'anti-' (against) and 'perspirant', ultimately derived from the Latin verb 'perspirare' (to breathe or blow constantly through).