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

Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and borax are all trustworthy to remove color transfer on white garments. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean around the axle, if needed. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026

If possible, sanitize your cutting tools with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide spray between plants when deadheading. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 July 2026

Alternatively, create a natural bug spray using a mixture of 70% rubbing alcohol and water, or white vinegar and water. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 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