English Meaning & Definitions
Able to repel a particular substance; resistant to.
- “The new fabric is water repellent, making it ideal for raincoats.”
- “His jacket was made of a dirt-repellent material, keeping it clean even after a fall.”
Causing strong dislike or aversion; highly disagreeable or offensive.
- “The smell from the garbage dump was truly repellent.”
- “She found his arrogant attitude utterly repellent.”
A substance used to repel insects or other pests.
- “Don't forget to apply insect repellent before we go hiking in the woods.”
- “The store sells various types of mosquito repellent, including sprays and lotions.”
A substance or treatment applied to a material to make it impervious to water.
- “He applied a fabric repellent to his tent to ensure it stayed dry during the storm.”
- “This shoe repellent will protect your leather boots from rain and stains.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “repellent”.
Originating in the early 17th century (as an adjective) and mid-19th century (as a noun), from Latin 'repellent-' (stem of 'repellens'), present participle of 'repellere' meaning 'to drive back, repel.' This is formed from 're-' (back) + 'pellere' (to drive).
Think of 'repel' (to push away) and the suffix '-ent' (indicating an agent or quality). So, something that 'pushes away' or 'causes aversion'.
Frequently Asked Questions About “repellent”
1. What is the meaning of “repellent” in English?
In English, repellent (adjective) is defined as: “Able to repel a particular substance; resistant to.”.
2. How do you use “repellent” in a sentence?
“The new fabric is water repellent, making it ideal for raincoats.”
3. What are English synonyms of “repellent”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “repellent”?
Originating in the early 17th century (as an adjective) and mid-19th century (as a noun), from Latin 'repellent-' (stem of 'repellens'), present participle of 'repellere' meaning 'to drive back, repel.' This is formed from 're-' (back) + 'pellere' (to drive).
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