H. L. Mencken
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The noun emollient is used most often in reference to a substance—such as an oil, cream, lotion, butter, or balm—used to treat someone's skin or hair. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it traces back to a Latin word, the verb emollire, meaning "to soften or soothe." Emollire, in turn, formed in part from the adjective mollis, meaning "soft." (Another descendant of mollis is mollify, which means "to make softer in temper or disposition.") Emollient first appeared in print in English in the early 1600s as an adjective with the meaning "making soft or supple," describing things such as herbs, medicines, and poultices; the noun arrived on the scene soon after.
Examples of emollient in a Sentence
Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The British government will see a deal as a vindication of Starmer’s emollient approach to Trump, which has avoided direct confrontation or criticism.
—Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Claire Sullivan, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Its formula includes nine emollients—ingredients designed to soften and trap moisture in the skin—offering ample protection against the razor’s sharp edge.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for emollient
Cite this Entry
“Emollient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emollient. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
emollient
1 of 2 adjective
emollient
2 of 2 noun
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