# anesthetic

/ˌænəsˈθɛtɪk/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anesthetic
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a drug or gas that doctors use to make you not feel pain during an operation. It can make a small area numb or put you into a deep sleep.

For teachers: a substance that induces a reversible loss of sensation or consciousness, typically administered before a surgical procedure. Often categorized as either local, affecting a specific area, or general, affecting the entire body.

## Examples

- The dentist gave me a local anesthetic before filling the cavity.
- Before the surgery began, the medical team administered a general anesthetic to ensure the patient remained unconscious and pain-free.
- Advances in pharmacology have led to the development of modern anesthetics that offer rapid onset and minimal side effects, significantly improving patient recovery times after major operations.

## Usage notes

- Can be used as a countable noun for specific types of drugs or as an uncountable noun for the substance in general.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.