Prophylactic: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Prophylactic adjective. Meant to prevent a disease or some other problem before it starts.
How to say it
prof-ih-LAK-tik/ˌprɒfɪˈlaktɪk/
4 syllables, stressed on the third (LAK).
Prophylactic in a sentence
The council’s prophylactic gritting kept the roads clear before the snow arrived.
He took a prophylactic nap before the all-night party.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- preventive
- protective
- precautionary
Where prophylactic comes from
From Greek prophulaktikos, from prophulassein, to keep guard in advance.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
He took a _____ nap before the all-night party.
- prophylactic
- anaemic
- salubrious
Show the answer
prophylactic: He took a prophylactic nap before the all-night party.