rubbing alcohol
noun
: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol
Examples of rubbing alcohol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For smaller bugs like mealybugs or scale, take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe them off.
—
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Mix ½ gallon of warm water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a large container, then pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to icy surfaces to melt the ice.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Wipe it down with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill any insects and to remove sap.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Before applying rubbing alcohol or acetone, test the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the garment, such as an inside seam, to check for colorfastness, Romine says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing alcohol
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Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Mix ½ gallon of warm water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a large container, then pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to icy surfaces to melt the ice.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Wipe it down with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill any insects and to remove sap.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Before applying rubbing alcohol or acetone, test the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the garment, such as an inside seam, to check for colorfastness, Romine says.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubbing%20alcohol. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rubbing alcohol
noun
rub·bing alcohol
ˈrəb-iŋ-ˌ 
: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropyl alcohol
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