glycerin

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablechemistry

   A thick, sweet, clear liquid used in medicines, skin products, and foods to keep things moist.

   Grammar: Uncountable, so it takes no plural and no 'a' in most uses: add glycerin, not add a glycerin.

   Patterns

   • add glycerin to something
   • contain glycerin
   • a glycerin solution

   The cough syrup contains glycerin to keep it smooth and sweet.

   Manufacturers add glycerin to soap so it does not dry out the skin.

   This lotion is mostly water and glycerin.

2. 2noununcountablechemistrytechnical

   The same substance when it is used as a chemical starting material in industry.

   Grammar: Also uncountable; in British English the spelling 'glycerine' is common.

   Patterns

   • produce glycerin
   • glycerin is used in something

   Biodiesel production yields glycerin as a by-product.

   Chemists convert glycerin into other compounds for plastics.

Common combinations

vegetable glycerin

Vegetable glycerin is often used in natural cosmetics.

add glycerin to

They add glycerin to the mixture to stop it drying out.

contain glycerin

Check the label; some toothpastes contain glycerin.

pure glycerin

Pure glycerin is too thick to use directly on the skin.

glycerin soap

Glycerin soap is gentle and clear.

Synonyms and how they differ

glycerol

The scientific name for the same substance, preferred in chemistry writing.

glycerine

The British spelling; the meaning is identical.

Word family

glycerol noun

The technical chemical name for glycerin.

glyceride noun

A fat or oil molecule built from glycerol and fatty acids.

Commonly confused: glycerin or glycerine? glycerin or glycogen?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “glycerin”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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