rubbing alcohol

noun

: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol

Examples of rubbing alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Isopropanol, or rubbing alcohol and non-pharmaceutical benzodiazepine, also known as benzos, were found her in system but were below lethal levels, the report said. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2025

It’s filled with aspirin, bandages, ointments, safety pins, tweezers, needle and thread, rubbing alcohol, a scalpel and penicillin. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Alcohol Mix rubbing alcohol and room-temperature water in a spray bottle to defrost your windshield. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025

Step 3: Apply a Baking Soda and Citrus Paste (Optional) If stains are still present after using rubbing alcohol to remove turmeric, make an exfoliating paste of baking soda and lemon or lime juice. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubbing alcohol

• chloramphenicol
• dithiothreitol
• geospatial
• isopropanol
• meridional
• paracetamol
• peroxisomal
• visuospatial
• aerosol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol

Kids Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun

: a cooling and soothing solution for use on the outside of the body that contains an alcohol and water

Medical Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun

rub·​bing alcohol ˈrəb-iŋ-ˌ 

: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropyl alcohol