ointment

[ oint-muhnt ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a soft, unctuous preparation, often medicated, for application to the skin; unguent.

   Synonyms: nard, balm, salve

ointment

/ ˈɔɪntmənt /

noun

1. a fatty or oily medicated formulation applied to the skin to heal or protect
2. a similar substance used as a cosmetic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ointment¹

1250–1300; obsolete oint (aphetic variant of anoint ) + -ment; replacing Middle English oignement < Old French < Vulgar Latin *unguimentum for Latin unguentum; unguent

Word History and Origins

Origin of ointment¹

C14: from Old French oignement, from Latin unguentum unguent

Idioms and Phrases

see fly in the ointment .

Example Sentences

“This was a brief moment when he was trying some sort of topical hair ointment,” Finneas says, “and so he was like, ‘Can you do this every day?’”

From Los Angeles Times

But a few days later it was discovered that the medication was given to the colt in ointment for a rash on his hind quarters.

From Los Angeles Times

Current therapies used to help manage symptoms include over-the-counter and prescription itch relief ointments and anti-inflammatory drugs such as antihistamines and corticosteroids.

From Science Daily

“Shouldn’t we dip his stub into some rubbing alcohol or something? Don’t we have ointment?”

From Literature

He’s got a cut on his back left leg, and he demands that I put ointment and a Band-Aid on it when we get home.

From Literature

Related Words

• balm
• lotion
• salve