repellent definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

re·pel·lent [ ri péllənt ] or re·pel·lant [ ri péllənt ]

adjective

Definition:

1. causing disgust: making somebody feel intense dislike, disgust, or revulsion

2. resistant to something: resistant or impervious to something ( often used in combination )

water-repellent material

3. pushing away: pushing something away or driving something back

noun

Definition:

1. something that repels insects: a substance that drives away insects

2. substance that resists something harmful: a substance that is applied to a surface of something to resist water, mold, or mildew

re·pel·lence noun

re·pel·lent·ly adverb

Word Usage


	Note that the adjective is usually spelled -ent and not -ant. The -ant variant is somewhat more commonly found for the noun (an insect repellant) than for the adjective.

Word Usage


	repellent or repulsive? Both words mean "causing disgust," but repulsive is stronger in effect than repellent. Repellent is also used in combinations such as insect-repellent and water-repellent, denoting substances that physically repel or resist a particular thing. Repulsive does not have a literal meaning corresponding to this.