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Glite Dictionary
germicidal

germicidal

6.8
Able to kill germs or stop them from growing
  • adjective
  • /ˌdʒɜrmɪˈsaɪdəl/
translation icon : germicida
  • This germicidal cleaner is effective for sanitizing surfaces in the kitchen.

Examples

  • An ozone concentration of 0.5 ppm is recommended by the International Bottled Water Association to ensure effective germicidal action.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The IL1470 Germicidal Radiometer measures the efficiency of germicidal and bactericidal UV lamps to make certain their irradiance is providing the proper organism kill levels.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Doctors recommend using germicidal soap to reduce the risk of infection.

  • The hospital employs germicidal treatments to ensure a sterile environment.

Synonyms

antiseptic
vsgermicidal
  • Specialized
12 4.9

Free from germs and able to kill them

focuses on killing or stopping microorganisms rather than cleanliness
antimicrobial
vsgermicidal
  • Specialized
3 5.1

That kills or stops the growth of germs that cause disease

has the same destroying or growth-preventing ability without change
antimicrobic
vsgermicidal
  • Specialized
6.6

Able to kill germs and stop their growth

has the same destroying or growth-preventing ability without change
microbicidal
vsgermicidal
  • Specialized
7.7

Able to kill germs like bacteria and viruses

also covers preventing microorganism growth as well as killing them
biocidal
vsgermicidal
  • Specialized
7.7

Able to kill harmful living things such as bacteria or insects

is limited to microorganisms rather than a broader set of organisms

How Germ-Killing

germicidal
6.8
antibacterial
12 3.8
cleansing
3.5

Surface Forms

germicidal positive

Morphology

germicidal = germicide (semi-transparent) = germ + cide + al

The adjective is a regular formation from 'germicide', but the classical killing element '-cide' may not be fully transparent to all learners.

Etymology

The word germicidal comes from germ and -cidal, where germ is a tiny living thing that can make you ill and -cidal means 'killing', like in pesticide. So germicidal means something that kills germs or stops them growing.