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

Dab rubbing alcohol onto tough stains on microfiber couches. —Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026

The best way to get rid of them is by dabbing the infested foliage with a cotton round and rubbing alcohol, says Biggs. —Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026

Officers recovered a pizza box, empty bleach, and rubbing alcohol bottles. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Disinfect pruners and loppers by soaking them in a mixture of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water for 30 minutes, or spray the blades with rubbing alcohol. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubbing alcohol

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

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