mouthwash

noun

mouth·​wash ˈmau̇th-ˌwȯsh 

-ˌwäsh

: a usually antiseptic liquid preparation for cleaning the mouth and teeth or freshening the breath

Examples of mouthwash in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alternatively, try a trendy mouthwash from Moon that freshens and whitens at the same time, without the use of fluoride or alcohol. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 11 July 2025

Drink water often, use a humidifier at bedtime, and consider using toothpaste or mouthwash designed to help dry mouth. —Carley Millhone, Health, 6 July 2025

And, finally, the mouthwashes were assessed for their damage to human gum cell cultures. —New Atlas, 1 July 2025

There’s spit and mouthwash and ovulation and glimpses of Lorde riding her bike, swallowing MDMA, dragging on a cigarette. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mouthwash

• backwash
• downwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash
• slosh

Kids Definition

mouthwash

noun

mouth·​wash ˈmau̇th-ˌwȯsh 

-ˌwäsh

: a liquid that usually kills germs and is used to clean the mouth and teeth and freshen the breath

Medical Definition

mouthwash

noun

mouth·​wash ˈmau̇th-ˌwȯsh, -ˌwäsh 

: a liquid preparation (as an antiseptic solution) for cleansing the mouth and teeth

called also collutorium