lather

1 of 2

noun

lath·​er ˈla-t͟hər 

1

a

: a foam or froth formed when a detergent (such as soap) is agitated in water

b

: foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse)

2

: an agitated or overwrought state : dither

worked himself into a lather

lathery

ˈla-t͟h(ə-)rē 

adjective

lather

2 of 2

verb

lathered; lathering ˈla-t͟h(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to spread lather over

2

: to beat severely : flog

intransitive verb

: to form a lather or a froth like lather

latherer

ˈla-t͟hər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• foam
• froth
• head
• spume
• suds
• surf

Verb

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• pummel
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup
• work over

Examples of lather in a Sentence

Noun

The soap and water formed a lot of lather.

The soap and water formed a lather.

Verb

He lathered his face before shaving.

the farmer lathered the recalcitrant mule

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The lather of the shampoo is delicious and the conditioner leaves a light, just slightly floral scent behind. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Mar. 2025

The Purifying Micellar Shampoo creates a rich, nourishing lather on hair and scalp while keeping both moisturized. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025

Verb

Rent from any of the various sports equipment centers in town, lather up with sunscreen, and float down the crystal clear river where alpine vistas are always just around the bend. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025

Simply lather a thick coating of petroleum jelly onto the scratch. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English *lather, from Old English lēathor; akin to Latin lavere to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing lather

• get in a lather
• in a lather
• work oneself into a lather

Rhymes for lather

• gather
• rather

Kids Definition

lather

1 of 2 noun

lath·​er ˈlat͟h-ər 

1

a

: foam formed when a detergent (as soap) is stirred or shaken in water

b

: foam from sweating (as on a horse)

2

: a highly nervous or excited state : dither

worked himself into a lather

lather

2 of 2 verb

lathered; lathering ˈlat͟h-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to spread lather over

2

: to form lather or a froth like lather