rubbing alcohol

noun

: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol

Examples of rubbing alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To remove these stubborn spots before cleaning, dip a cloth into isopropyl or rubbing alcohol and dab it over the area to soften and remove buildup. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

The personnel there will provide further instructions on what to do with the specimen, whether freezing it or preserving it in rubbing alcohol. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 June 2026

Treat the Bite Site Treat the tick bite site with rubbing alcohol or wash the area with soap and warm water to prevent secondary infection, Teel says. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026

Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me. —Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubbing alcohol

• chloramphenicol
• dithiothreitol
• geospatial
• isopropanol
• paracetamol
• peroxisomal
• visuospatial
• aerosol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball

Kids Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun

: a cooling and soothing solution for use on the outside of the body that contains an alcohol and water

Medical Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun

rub·​bing alcohol ˈrəb-iŋ-ˌ 

: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropyl alcohol