Word
ointment
Phoneticsoint·ment, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔɪntmənt/
UK/ˈɔɪntmənt/
Definitions
01medical cream
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a thick, oily substance that you put on your skin to help a cut or a rash heal.
n. a medicinal, oily preparation applied topically to the skin as a treatment or emollient.
“The doctor gave me a special ointment to put on my dry skin.”
“The pharmacist recommended a topical ointment containing zinc to soothe the inflammation and provide a protective barrier for the damaged tissue.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'apply' or 'rub in'.
02religious oil
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Formal · Literary
n. a special oil or cream used in religious ceremonies.
n. a substance used for anointing, specifically within the context of religious rituals or consecration.
“The priest used a holy ointment during the ceremony.”
“Historical records describe the composition of the sacred ointment used during the coronation to signify the divine appointment of the new monarch.”
Synonyms
Etymology
A later form (as if oint + -ment) of Middle English oinement, borrowed from Old French oignement (“an anointing”), from oigner, oindre, ongier (“to anoint”), from Latin ung(u)ō (“I anoint”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (“to smear, anoint”). Partly displaced native Old English sealf, whence modern salve.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ointment