What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
antibiotic
Example
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat the patient's sinus infection. [antibiotic: noun]
Example
It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics to ensure the infection is completely gone. [antibiotics: plural noun]
antiseptic
Example
The nurse applied antiseptic to the cut before bandaging it. [antiseptic: noun]
Example
Make sure to wash your hands with antiseptic soap to kill any germs. [antiseptic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Antibiotics are more commonly used and well-known than antiseptics. Antibiotics are widely used in medical settings and are often prescribed by doctors. Antiseptics, on the other hand, are commonly found in households for personal hygiene and first aid purposes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between antibiotic and antiseptic?
Both antibiotic and antiseptic are formal terms used in medical and healthcare contexts. However, antibiotic is more commonly used and recognized in everyday language, while antiseptic may be less familiar to non-medical individuals.
