lather

1 of 2

noun

lath·​er ˈla-t͟hər 

1

a

: a foam or froth formed when a detergent (such as soap) is agitated in water

b

: foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse)

2

: an agitated or overwrought state : dither

worked himself into a lather

lathery

ˈla-t͟h(ə-)rē 

adjective

lather

2 of 2

verb

lathered; lathering ˈla-t͟h(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to spread lather over

2

: to beat severely : flog

intransitive verb

: to form a lather or a froth like lather

latherer

ˈla-t͟hər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of lather

Noun

• foam
• suds
• surf

Verb

• lick
• lash
• whip
• hide
• pelt
• pound
• batter
• do
• slap
• beat
• tan

Examples of lather in a Sentence

Noun

The soap and water formed a lot of lather.

The soap and water formed a lather.

Verb

He lathered his face before shaving.

the farmer lathered the recalcitrant mule

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The hybrid gel-cream formula creates a rich, foamy lather that cleanses without stripping moisture. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026

Our top overall pick is California Naturals, thanks to its affordable price, hydrating ingredients and ease of use with a quick lather and rinse. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025

Verb

The gel texture glides on smoothly, lathers into a plush foam, and rinses clean without leaving skin feeling tight. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026

Simply lather a thick coating of petroleum jelly onto the scratch. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English *lather, going back to Old English lēaðor "lye solution, soap," going back to Germanic *lauþra- (whence also Old Icelandic lauðr "foam, soap"), going back to Indo-European *lou̯h₃-tro-/*lou̯h₃-d^hro- (whence also Latin lābrum, lavābrum "large basin, vat," Greek loutrón, loetrón "bathing water, bathing, bath," Old Irish lóathar, lóthar "trough, vat"), from lou̯h₃- "wash" + *-tro-/-d^hro-, instrumental suffix — more at lye

Verb

late Middle English latheren "to soak," alteration by assimilation to *lather lather entry 1 of earlier liðeren, leþeren "to be bathed in (blood, sweat), be lathered," going back to Old English (late West Saxon) lȳðran, (Anglian) lēðren "to anoint, smear, lather," derivative from the base of lēaðor "lye solution, soap" — more at lather entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing lather

• get in a lather
• in a lather
• work oneself into a lather

Rhymes for lather

• gather
• rather

Kids Definition

lather

1 of 2 noun

lath·​er ˈlat͟h-ər 

1

a

: foam formed when a detergent (as soap) is stirred or shaken in water

b

: foam from sweating (as on a horse)

2

: a highly nervous or excited state : dither

worked himself into a lather

lather

2 of 2 verb

lathered; lathering ˈlat͟h-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to spread lather over

2

: to form lather or a froth like lather