emollient

1 of 2

adjective

emol·​lient i-ˈmäl-yənt 

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

emollient

2 of 2

noun

: something that softens or soothes

Did you know?

The noun emollient is used most often in reference to a substance—such as an oil, cream, lotion, butter, or balm—used to treat someone's skin or hair. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it traces back to a Latin word, the verb emollire, meaning "to soften or soothe." Emollire, in turn, formed in part from the adjective mollis, meaning "soft." (Another descendant of mollis is mollify, which means "to make softer in temper or disposition.") Emollient first appeared in print in English in the early 1600s as an adjective with the meaning "making soft or supple," describing things such as herbs, medicines, and poultices; the noun arrived on the scene soon after.

Examples of emollient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When shopping for a hydrating lip balm, focus on nourishing, emollient ingredients rather than those that create a temporary tingle. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025

The formula is infused with emollient fatty acids to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, while its semi-sheer finish ensures a soft glow—far from the heavy-handed bronzer looks of the mid-2010s. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025

Noun

These oils are all emollients, which are substances that soften and soothe skin. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Oct. 2025

The formula packs emollients like shea and murumuru seed butters to condition dry lips, as well as vegan waxes that smooth uneven texture and lock in moisture for hours. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1632, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

emollient

1 of 2 adjective

emol·​lient i-ˈmäl-yənt 

: making soft or supple

also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane

emollient

2 of 2 noun

: an emollient agent

an emollient for the hands