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

Whitening mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can lift surface stains gradually, though prolonged use may lead to tooth sensitivity. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

When there's Nautica and mouthwash in the men's locker room, that's just next level. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally). — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

But the historical medical use of urine was not limited to mouthwash. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

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