What does purgative mean?
A purgative is a medicine or other substance that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. The adjective “purgative” describes such a substance or its action, while the noun refers to the medicine itself. In historical medicine, purgatives were widely used to treat fevers, digestive complaints, and presumed build-ups of harmful humours; today they are associated especially with strong bowel preparations and occasional use for constipation. The word is more common in formal, medical, and historical writing than in casual conversation, where “laxative” is often preferred. Although “purgative” can suggest thorough cleansing, its modern use may also imply an especially forceful effect, so the choice of term can reflect whether the preparation is mild or strong.
Causing the bowels to empty; relating to a medicine or substance that purges the body.
"The doctor ordered a purgative treatment for the patient."
Chiefly used in formal or medical contexts.
A medicine or substance that induces bowel evacuation, especially a strong laxative.
"The herbal preparation was used as a purgative."
The plural form is “purgatives.”
The plural is used when referring to more than one purgative medicine or substance.
"Several strong purgatives were listed among the remedies available at the apothecary."
The word “purgative” comes from the same Latin root as “purge,” reflecting its ancient role as a medicine intended to empty the body.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does purgative come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English and early modern period from Latin purgativus, meaning “purifying” or “causing purging.” It was formed on the root purgare, “to cleanse or purge,” from the same source that later produced English “purge” and related forms such as “purgatory.” The original sense referred to medicines believed to cleanse the body by emptying the bowels.
Related word forms
How purgative is actually used
The term is chiefly formal or medical. In everyday English, “laxative” is more common, while “purgative” may suggest a particularly strong or traditional bowel-cleansing remedy.
Easily confused with purgative
A purge is the act of emptying the bowels or a broader process of removing unwanted material, whereas a purgative is a substance that causes bowel evacuation.
A purgative acts on the bowels and promotes defecation, while an emetic induces vomiting.