emollient

Definition

adjective

emollient
1 of 2
adjective
emol·;lient i-;m;l-y;nt
Synonyms of emollient
1
: making soft or supple
also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane
an emollient hand lotion
2
: making less intense or harsh : mollifying
soothe us in our agonies with emollient words
—H. L. Mencken
emollient

2 of 2
noun
: something that softens or soothes


Did you know?
The noun emollient is used most often in reference to a substance—such as an oil, cream, lotion, butter, or balm—used to treat someone's skin or hair. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it traces back to a Latin word, the verb emollire, meaning "to soften or soothe." Emollire, in turn, formed in part from the adjective mollis, meaning "soft." (Another descendant of mollis is mollify, which means "to make softer in temper or disposition.") Emollient first appeared in print in English in the early 1600s as an adjective with the meaning "making soft or supple," describing things such as herbs, medicines, and poultices; the noun arrived on the scene soon after.

Examples of emollient in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Plus, emollient ingredients help prevent flaking once the product has dried out.
—Con;etta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Thicker consistencies create an emollient barrier on top of the skin, trapping in the heat and exacerbating the inflammation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2024
Noun
Patients with sensitive skin should gravitate toward fragrance-free, bland emollients and moisturizers that have a thicker consistency, says Gordon.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Use moisturizers with emollients, ceramides, and humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History
Etymology
Adjective

Latin emollient-, emolliens, present participle of emollire to soften, from e- + mollis soft — more at mollify

First Known Use
Adjective

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emollient was in 1626
See more words from the same year