laxative

[ lak-suh-tiv ]

noun

1. a medicine or agent for relieving constipation.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a laxative; purgative.
2. Archaic.
   1. (of the bowels) subject to looseness.
   2. (of a disease) characterized by looseness of the bowels.

laxative

/ ˈlæksətɪv /

noun

1. an agent stimulating evacuation of faeces

adjective

1. stimulating evacuation of faeces

Other Words From

• laxa·tive·ly adverb
• laxa·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

1350–1400; Middle English laxatif (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin laxātīvus loosening ( laxation, -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of laxative¹

C14 (originally: relaxing): from Medieval Latin laxātīvus, from Latin laxāre to loosen

Example Sentences

Escolar is sometimes called the "laxative of the sea" for the effects its fatty acids can have on digestion.

From Salon

The actress added that she had taken "so many laxatives" in her teens that she was "amazed" she hadn't done more damage to her digestive system.

From BBC

I’m using stool softeners and laxatives as well as walking and drinking water.

From Seattle Times

"Even once admitted to hospital you made sure you could continue to give him dangerous levels of laxatives."

From BBC

In January, a report came out that found 1 in 10 teens worldwide have used so-called “budget Ozempic” laxatives and other risky weight loss products to lose weight.

From Salon