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

Then, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a thin cleaning cloth, cotton pad or swab, or small brush (such as an old toothbrush) and wipe the blades and magnet clean. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025

Or, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub it over the bristles, or simply pour a small amount over them. —Angela Palmer, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025

Lens cleaning fluid Lens cleaning fluid may be made from rubbing alcohol and water. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 May 2025

Mild soaps and rubbing alcohol are sometimes used, but for best results, check the manufacturer’s care recommendations. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 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