What does deodorant mean?
Deodorant is a noun referring to a substance applied to the skin — most commonly the underarms — to prevent or conceal the unpleasant smell associated with sweating. Unlike antiperspirants, which reduce the amount of sweat produced, traditional deodorants work by targeting the bacteria that cause body odour or by masking it with fragrance, though many modern products combine both functions and are marketed simply as deodorants. The word entered English in the nineteenth century and derives from a Latin-rooted formation meaning essentially 'to remove odour'. Deodorant is an unremarkable part of daily routine in much of the world, available as sticks, roll-ons, sprays, and creams, in scented and unscented varieties. Its ubiquity makes it a useful, familiar word: it appears naturally in talk of personal hygiene, travel packing, gym bags, and shopping lists, and it carries no particular formality or stigma in ordinary conversation across British and American English alike.
nounA substance applied to the body, especially under the arms, to prevent or mask the smell of sweat; many deodorants also contain antiperspirant agents that reduce perspiration itself.
- A cosmetic preparation applied to the skin, especially the underarms, to prevent or disguise the smell of perspiration.
"She packed a travel-sized deodorant in her gym bag before heading to the morning workout."
"He always applies deodorant right after his shower."
"The pharmacy stocks dozens of deodorants, from unscented sticks to aluminium-free sprays."
The plural is standard when referring to different types, brands, or individual items; the singular is often used as a mass noun for the substance generally.
"Natural deodorants have become increasingly popular in recent years."
The first commercial deodorant, Mum, hit American shelves in 1888 — and it took an aggressive ad campaign about 'offensive' armpits to convince a skeptical public that body odour was something to be ashamed of.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of deodorant
Deodorant was formed in English in the nineteenth century from the verb phrase 'de-odour', combining the prefix 'de-' (removal or reversal, from Latin) with 'odour' (from Latin 'odor', meaning smell). It belongs to the same family as 'deodorize' and 'deodorizer', all built on that Latin root. The related word 'olfactory' shares a more distant connection through Latin verbs of smelling.
Related word forms
How deodorant is actually used
An everyday, neutral-register word used in both British and US English. In everyday speech 'deodorant' often covers products that are technically combined deodorant-antiperspirants. The spelling 'deodourant' appears in some British contexts reflecting '-our' spellings, but 'deodorant' is standard in both varieties.
Easily confused with deodorant
A deodorant masks or prevents odour, while an antiperspirant actively reduces sweating itself; many products combine both functions.
Perfume is a scented product worn for fragrance on the body or clothes, whereas deodorant is specifically applied to control body odour, typically under the arms.