English Explanatory Dictionary

repulsive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Tending to rouse aversion or to repulse; disgusting.
  2. Having the capacity to repel.
  3. Cold; reserved; forbidding.

Pronunciation

/ɹɪˈpʌlsɪv/ /rĭ-pŭl'sĭv/ /rē-pŭl'sĭv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-repulsive.wav

Word forms

repulsive more repulsive most repulsive

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French repulsif, from Medieval Latin repulsivus, from Latin repulsus. By surface analysis, repuls(e) + -ive. Compare typologically Polish odpychający (< pchnąć), Russian отта́лкивающий (ottálkivajuščij) (< толкну́ть (tolknútʹ)).

Synonyms

repellent disgusting vile inappropriate

Antonyms

attractive

Derived words

chemorepulsive electrorepulsive neurorepulsive nonrepulsive repulsively repulsiveness unrepulsive
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