repellent Hear it!

repellent Definition

re·pel·lent (-ənt)

adjective

  1. that repels; pushing away or driving back
    1. causing distaste, dislike, or aversion; repulsive
    2. causing insects, etc. to react by staying away
  2. able to resist the absorption of liquid, esp. water, to a limited extent a water-repellent raincoat

Etymology: L repellens

noun

something that repels; specif.,

  1. a solution applied to fabric to make it water-repellent
  2. any substance used to repel insects

repellent Related Forms
re·pel·lence noun or re·pel·lency re·pel·lently adverb
repellent Synonyms

repellent

modif.

repellent Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: You can deter foxes with strong smells such as the repellents used to deter dogs and cats.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • wear: You engage in " behavior modification " : not going out at dusk, wearing mosquito repellent all the time.
  • bring: Try to bring some insect repellent or a net.
  • buy: I should have bought some insect repellent I think.
  • find: Now I don't know what Boris thinks of this, but I find the whole idea repellent.
  • use: Use an insect repellent where biting insects are known to be active.

Adjective modifier

  • natural: The appeal of natural repellents Recent research has identified particular plant extracts which could help to keep insect pests at bay.
  • effective: Scottish researchers have developed a new and effective repellent which has its origins in the Indian Neem tree.

Modifies a noun

  • spray: Of course a bug repellent spray or similar will hopefully keep most bugs at bay.
  • coating: However, using a clear water repellent coating will help to prevent fading.
  • finish: The backing material is a second layer of nylon Taslan which is also treated with a durable water repellent finish.
  • cream: Don't forget your midge repellent, sun cream, waterproof and bobble hat - the weather can be pretty mixed up there!
  • treatment: The stability of all wood used out of doors can be improved by the use of water repellent treatments.
  • property: Uses: Culinary, medicinal, and repellent properties.

Used with adjective complement

  • find: A nostalgia overcame him which in later years he found repellent.

Noun used with modifier

  • insect: Insect repellents should be applied top of sun cream where needed.
  • mosquito: We supply a variety of insect and mosquito repellents and killers.
  • chemical: In the past, a variety of chemical repellents have also been tried to deter badgers from gardens.
  • water: The waterproof properties of close weave fabrics can be enhanced with the use of chemical water repellents.

Modifying Another Word

  • so: You can't imagine how someone so repellent and self-serving could even manage to get married.