antiseptic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌan-tə-ˈsep-tik 

1

a

: opposing microbial infection

especially : preventing or inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms (such as bacteria) in or on living tissue (such as the skin or mucous membranes)

applied an antiseptic solution to the wound

antiseptic mouthwash

In general, the preparation of the skin with one or more antiseptic agents (e.g, alcohol, iodine tincture, an iodophor, or chlorhexidine gluconate) applied individually or sequentially in a concentric fashion to the venipuncture site should provide that proper satisfactory antisepsis …

—Calvin L. Strand et al.

b

: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances

antiseptic treatment

2

a

: scrupulously clean : aseptic

antiseptic surgical instruments

b

: extremely neat or orderly

especially : neat to the point of being bare or uninteresting

a spare, antiseptic waiting room

c

: free from what is held to be contaminating

an antiseptic version of rustic life

d

: having a cleansing or purifying quality or effect

… the antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism.

—New Republic

3

a

: coldly impersonal

an antiseptic greeting

b

: of, relating to, or being warfare conducted with cold precision from a safe distance with few or no casualties on one's side

antiseptic bombings

antiseptically

ˌan-tə-ˈsep-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2

noun

plural antiseptics

: an antiseptic substance : a substance (such as isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine) that destroys or inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms (such as bacteria) especially in or on living tissue (such as the skin or mucous membranes)

clean the wound with an antiseptic

Synonyms

Adjective

• bandbox
• crisp
• groomed
• kempt
• neat
• orderly
• picked up
• prim
• shipshape
• smug
• snug
• tidied
• tidy
• trig
• trim
• uncluttered
• well-groomed

Examples of antiseptic in a Sentence

Adjective

known for keeping a strenuously antiseptic kitchen, the floor of which does indeed seem fit for eating off of

for such an expensive, elegant Sunday brunch, one would expect the attendants at the buffet tables to be professionally attired in starched, antiseptic white jackets

Noun

Clean the affected area with an antiseptic.

He applied antiseptic to the wound.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There is extensive data from the last quarter century proving that the antiseptic preservative is safe, with no harms identified beyond slight soreness at the injection site, but none of that data was presented during today's meeting. —ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025

This compact kit includes 140 pieces (think bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, medical tape) in a water-resistant pouch that fits easily in your pack or car. —Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2025

Noun

The kit will be stocked with all the essentials such as bandages, antiseptics, and tools such as a thermometer. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025

In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics. —Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin antisepticus, from anti- anti- + Latin sēpticus "putrefactive, septic"

Note: New Latin antisepticus is first found in the writing of the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738), e.g., Libellus de materie medica et remediorum formulis (Leiden, 1719), and may have been coined by him.

Noun

borrowed from New Latin antiseptica, antisepticum, noun derivatives of antisepticus antiseptic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antiseptic

• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• antiepileptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic
• peptic
• sceptic
• septic
• skeptic

Kids Definition

antiseptic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌant-ə-ˈsep-tik 

1

: killing or preventing the growth of germs that cause disease or decay

2

: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances

antiseptically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that helps stop the growth or action of microorganisms especially in or on living tissue

Medical Definition

antiseptic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌant-ə-ˈsep-tik 

1

: opposing microbial infection

especially : preventing or inhibiting the growth and action of microorganisms in or on living tissue (as the skin or mucous membranes)

an antiseptic oral rinse

topical antiseptic solutions for wounds

In general, the preparation of the skin with one or more antiseptic agents (eg, alcohol, iodine tincture, an iodophor, or chlorhexidine gluconate) applied individually or sequentially in a concentric fashion to the venipuncture site should provide that proper satisfactory antisepsis …

—Calvin L. Strand et al.

2

: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances

antiseptic treatment

3

: free of living microorganisms : scrupulously clean : aseptic

antiseptic surgical instruments

antiseptically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2 noun

: an antiseptic substance : a substance (as hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, or chlorhexidine) that destroys or inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms (as bacteria) especially in or on living tissue (as the skin or mucous membranes)