Added 9 October 2026
detergent
/dɪˈtɜːd͡ʒənt/ noun
Latin root: dētergēns Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about detergent at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering.
- A cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension.
adjective
Origin
From French détergent, from Latin dētergēns, the present participle of dētergeō, from dē (“off”) + tergeō (“wipe, polish”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)