What does repellant mean?
Repellent means something that arouses disgust or intense dislike, as in a repellent smell, attitude, or display of behavior. Its figurative use often suggests that a person or situation is not merely unattractive but actively unpleasant to encounter. The word also has a practical literal meaning: an insect repellent or similar product is designed to drive mosquitoes, flies, or other organisms away from people or places. In this sense, repellent is usually followed by the kind of organism or object being deterred. As a noun, it can refer either to such a substance or product or, less commonly, to a person others find unpleasant. Repellent may function as an adjective, a noun, and an archaic verb meaning to drive back. Compared with related words such as disgusting and repulsive, it can sound more matter-of-fact when describing a functional pest-control product, but more strongly judgmental when used of people or social situations.
Causing disgust or strong aversion, or able or intended to drive unwanted organisms away.
"The motionless crowd was repellent to her."
The figurative sense is dominant in contemporary usage; the literal sense is common in pest-control contexts.
A substance, product, or device used to drive away unwanted organisms, or a person regarded as unpleasant.
"She sprayed a generous amount of repellent on her arms."
The word is often used attributively, especially in the expressions insect repellent and mosquito repellent.
To drive back or repel.
"The fortifications repelled the attackers."
This verb is archaic or literary and is now uncommon outside older texts.
The plural is used for substances, products, or devices that repel unwanted organisms and, occasionally, for people regarded as unpleasant.
"These repellents keep mosquitoes away for several hours."
Repellent has a split personality: it can describe something that drives you away or something that drives other creatures away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repellant come from?
Repellent entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin present participle repellent-, meaning “repelling” or “driving back.” That form came from repellere, formed from re- and pellere, both elements meaning “back” and “drive,” respectively. The same Latin root produced cognates including repel, repulse, repulsive, and repulsion.
Related word forms
How repellant is actually used
In modern use, the adjective is dominant. Its literal sense is common in relation to insect repellents, while its figurative sense conveys strong but usually restrained dislike. The verb is now archaic or literary and is uncommon in everyday speech.
Easily confused with repellant
Repulsive more strongly describes something that provokes intense disgust, whereas repellent can also denote something whose practical purpose is to drive pests or other organisms away.