ALL meanings of detergent
de·ter·gent
D d - variable noun detergent Detergent is a chemical substance, usually in the form of a powder or liquid, which is used for washing things such as clothes or dishes. 3
- noun detergent a cleansing agent, esp a surface-active chemical such as an alkyl sulphonate, widely used in industry, laundering, shampoos, etc 3
- adjective detergent having cleansing power 3
- adjective detergent cleansing 3
- noun detergent a cleansing substance; specif., a surface-active chemical preparation, as, now esp., a linear alkyl sulfonate, that is capable of emulsifying dirt or oil 3
- noun detergent A water-soluble cleansing agent that combines with impurities and dirt to make them more soluble and differs from soap in not forming a scum with the salts in hard water. 1
- noun detergent soap for washing dishes 1
- noun detergent powder or liquid used for laundry 1
- noun detergent any of a group of synthetic, organic, liquid or water-soluble cleaning agents that, unlike soap, are not prepared from fats and oils, are not inactivated by hard water, and have wetting-agent and emulsifying-agent properties. 1
- noun detergent a similar substance that is oil-soluble and capable of holding insoluble foreign matter in suspension, used in lubricating oils, dry-cleaning preparations, etc. 1
- noun detergent any cleansing agent, including soap. Compare anionic detergent, cationic detergent, synthetic detergent. 1
- adjective detergent cleansing; purging. 1
- noun detergent Any non-soap cleaning agent, especially a synthetic surfactant. 0
- adjective detergent Having the power to clean. 0