Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thick, soft, often greasy substance applied to the skin for medicinal or cosmetic purposes: "ointment" refers to a semisolid preparation, typically containing medicinal or soothing ingredients, that is spread on the skin to treat irritation, heal wounds, or moisturize.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the infection.
  • She applied a soothing ointment to her dry, cracked hands.
  • This herbal ointment is good for minor burns and cuts.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a fly in the ointment": to be a minor irritation or flaw that spoils something.
  • The rainy weather was a fly in the ointment of our otherwise perfect picnic.

Variants and Related Words

• Salve (n): a healing or soothing ointment.
  • The salve helped relieve the itching.
• Balm (n): a fragrant, soothing ointment, often for pain relief.
  • The lip balm protects against chapping.
• Cream (n): a softer, less greasy semisolid preparation for the skin.
  • She uses a moisturizing cream every night.
• Liniment (n): a liquid or lotion, especially one made with oil, for rubbing on the body to relieve pain.
  • The athlete rubbed liniment on his sore muscles.

Synonyms

• Unguent: a less common synonym for a soothing or healing salve.
• Emollient: a substance that softens or soothes the skin.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Not typically applicable for the noun "ointment")

Related Idioms

• "A fly in the ointment": a drawback or spoiling element in something otherwise pleasant.
  • The only fly in the ointment was the delayed flight; the vacation was wonderful.

Noun

1. toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin
2. semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation