1

emollient

adjective emol·lient \ i-ˈmäl-yənt \

|Updated on: 26 Jul 2018

Definition of emollient

1 : making soft or supple; also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane

an emollient hand lotion

2 : making less intense or harsh : mollifying

soothe us in our agonies with emollient words
—H. L. Mencken

Recent Examples of emollient from the Web

On the other hand, emollient ingredients soften skin.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Everything You Need to Know About Putting Oils on Your Face," 12 July 2018
The North’s relatively emollient tone suggests that there remains an opening for the summit to go ahead at a later date and for talks about it to carry on in the meantime.

— The Economist, "Donald Trump is undermining the coalition he built against North Korea," 25 May 2018
In 2010, a year after setting out that goal, Mr Obama’s administration negotiated the New START agreement with Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Putin’s more emollient sidekick and placeholder.

— The Economist, "Old deals to limit nuclear weapons are fraying. They may not be repaired," 5 May 2018
The government is now headed by a more emollient figure: a former banker who also continues to head the ministries of finance and economic development.

— The Economist, "DebeatifiedPoland’s prime minister gets the chop," 14 Dec. 2017
Not mascara, lip balm, or even my ride-or-die concealer, but the thick, ultra-emollient ointment that's saved my ass (er, my skin) too many times to count.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Aquaphor's $12 Ointment Spray Is a Game-Changer for People With Skin Conditions Like Mine," 3 Nov. 2017
Rich in emollient olive oil, this cleanser effortlessly removes even the most stubborn of waterproof makeup, but also deposits a slew of antioxidants onto the skin, which protect from environmental, free-radical damage.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, Teen Vogue, "DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Review," 23 June 2017
Speaking in the courtyard of Louvre last night, Macron celebrated by striking a soothing, emollient tone.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "France’s New President Is Already Fighting the Trump Agenda," 8 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emollient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of emollient

Latin emollient-, emolliens, present participle of emollire to soften, from e- + mollis soft — more at mollify

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1626

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

2

emollient

noun

Definition of emollient

: something that softens or soothes

Recent Examples of emollient from the Web

Even Di Robilant, who, by virtue of having been allotted Hemingway’s most desperate decade, ends up chronicler of some of the man’s most vicious moments, attempts to apply emollients.

— dana snitzky, Longreads, "Hemingway’s Last Girl," 12 July 2018
But a study released last week in BMJ shows that emollient bath additives simply do not help.

— Philly.com, "Bath additives not needed to treat eczema," 8 May 2018
Here’s your week in review, in haiku. 1. Scott Pruitt, guilty. Clear violation of the emollients clause. 2.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: The CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Turns Two and Five Breaking News Haikus," 8 June 2018
Mr Trump, meanwhile, seems determined to be emollient.

— The Economist, "Talks between America and North Korea might succeed—at a terrible price," 7 June 2018
Biossance uses its signature squalane oil as a carrier for its vitamin C serum, which according to Leung provides the skin with protection and emollient properties.

— janna mandell, San Francisco Chronicle, "Your skin’s secret (antioxidant) weapon? It starts with a C.," 6 Apr. 2018
Wet the hair and add an emollient, such as hair conditioner or natural oils.

— oneith o. cadiz, m.d., miamiherald, "How to treat and prevent head lice infections in children | Miami Herald," 13 Feb. 2018
This time the tone of Mr Xi’s speech of welcome was emollient.

— The Economist, "Kim Jong Un visits China," 28 Mar. 2018
Recent research has studied the efficacy and safety of natural oils and over-the-counter emollients to smother these unwelcome pests.

— oneith o. cadiz, m.d., miamiherald, "How to treat and prevent head lice infections in children | Miami Herald," 13 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emollient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of emollient

1656

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

Medical Dictionary

1

emollient

adjective emol·lient \ i-ˈmäl-yənt \

medical Definition of emollient

: making soft or supple; also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane

2

emollient

noun

medical Definition of emollient

: an emollient agent

an emollient for the hands

Learn More about emollient

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emollient

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