dibutyl phthalate

noun

di·​bu·​tyl phthal·​ate ˌdī-ˌbyü-tᵊl-ˈtha-ˌlāt 

: a colorless oily ester C₁₆H₂₂O₄ used chiefly as a solvent, plasticizer, and insect repellent

Examples of dibutyl phthalate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Owners are advised to avoid using human nail polishes as those have toxic chemicals to dogs, such as dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

The biggest ingredients to avoid are formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) but there are plenty more that can be considered dangerous. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

Does not contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde resin. —Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2021

Even still, the industry made a conservative shift from removing [dibutyl phthalate] from products. —Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 15 Sep. 2022

According to a 2018 study published in the journal Environmental Study & Technology, nail polish brands started to label their products as 3-free in the 2000s to exclude toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. —Jenifer Calle, SELF, 4 Mar. 2022

Does not contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or formaldehyde. —Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2021

These nail polishes don’t have any toxic formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde resin or camphor that are common in nail polishes. —Dana Holmes, CNN Underscored, 14 Aug. 2020

The compounds include hazardous air pollutants such as styrene and methylene chloride, as well as dibutyl phthalate, which some studies have identified as an endocrine disruptor. —Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 25 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

phthalic acid + -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dibutyl phthalate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Medical Definition

dibutyl phthalate

noun

dibutyl phthal·​ate -ˈthal-ˌāt 

: a colorless oily ester C₁₆H₂₂O₄ used chiefly as a solvent, plasticizer, pesticide, and repellent (as for chiggers and mites)