French word

antibiotique

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃tibjotik/

Meaning

  • masculine nounantibiotic

Example

Le médecin m'a prescrit un antibiotique.

The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic.

Illustration for antibiotique (antibiotic)

More examples

Je dois prendre mon antibiotique trois fois par jour.

I have to take my antibiotic three times a day.

Core concept

A medicine that kills harmful bacteria or stops them from multiplying.

Common phrases

  • prendre un antibiotique

    take an antibiotic

  • prescrire un antibiotique

    prescribe an antibiotic

Similar words

médicament: A medicine used to treat illness or relieve symptoms.
antiseptique: A disinfectant used to kill microbes on wounds or surfaces.

Definition in French

Substance pharmaceutique destinée à combattre une infection bactérienne en détruisant les bactéries ou en empêchant leur multiplication.

Word origin

The modern term antibiotique combines Greek anti, meaning 'against', with a form related to bios, 'life', and entered French through modern scientific usage.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, antibiotique is masculine: un antibiotique, while the adjective keeps the same form with either gender, as in une crème antibiotique.

Related words

  • antibiothérapieantibiotic therapynoun
  • antibiorésistanceantibiotic resistancenoun

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