What does repellent mean?
Repellent is an adjective for something that causes intense disgust or aversion, and a noun for a substance or object that drives something away. Its figurative uses often suggest that an idea, place, or experience is so unpleasant that one wants to avoid it. In practical contexts, however, “repellent” commonly refers to a product designed to protect people from insects, such as mosquito repellent. The word is strong and sometimes emotionally charged: describing a situation or place as repellent is more forceful than simply saying it is unpleasant, while describing a person as repellent can be especially insulting. The term is used in both British and American English.
Causing intense disgust or dislike; so objectionable as to be repellent.
"The prospect of an early morning lecture was repellent."
Figurative use is strong and often formal or literary.
Able or intended to drive away insects, animals, or other unwanted organisms.
"The plants have a naturally repellent scent."
Often used with insects, animals, and parasites.
A substance, object, or other means of driving away unwanted insects, animals, or people.
"The spray is an effective repellent against mosquitoes."
Commonly used in the compounds insect repellent and mosquito repellent.
The plural is used for different products or agents that repel unwanted insects, animals, or other organisms.
"The shop sells natural insect repellents for camping."
The word repellent can describe something so unpleasant that people avoid it—or something designed to make insects avoid you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repellent come from?
Repellent comes from the Latin present participle repellentia, “repelent,” used in the sense of “repelling” or “driving back,” and was borrowed into English in the 16th century. It is related to the Latin verb repellere, meaning “to drive back,” which is also the source of repel and repulsion. The word originally described a force or substance that drove things away before developing its modern figurative sense of causing disgust.
Related word forms
How repellent is actually used
When describing a person, repellent is strongly negative and may imply that the person inspires disgust or aversion. As a noun, it commonly refers to a chemical or product used to repel insects or other unwanted animals.
Easily confused with repellent
Repulsive describes something that causes intense disgust, whereas repellent can also mean effective at driving something away, as in mosquito repellent.