Meaning & use
hydrater
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A substance or product that adds water or moisture to something, especially to the skin or body.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a hydrater' or 'two hydraters' when talking about products.
Patterns
- a hydrater for something
- use a hydrater on something
This cream is a good hydrater for dry skin.
She uses a hydrater every morning after washing her face.
nouncountabletechnical
A device or machine that adds water or moisture to the air or to a material.
Grammar: Countable: often used with 'an' or 'the' when referring to a specific device.
Patterns
- a hydrater for something
- install a hydrater
The factory installed a hydrater to keep the air moist.
A hydrater can help maintain the right humidity in a greenhouse.
Word forms
| plural | hydraters |
|---|
Common combinations
- skin hydrater
- Aloe vera is a natural skin hydrater.
- air hydrater
- An air hydrater can ease breathing in dry climates.
- natural hydrater
- Honey is a natural hydrater for the skin.
- good hydrater
- This lotion is a good hydrater for winter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- moisturizer
- More common in everyday speech for skincare products; 'hydrater' sounds more technical or general.
- humectant
- A technical term for a substance that attracts and holds moisture; 'hydrater' is broader and can also mean a device.
Word family
Commonly confused: hydrater or dehydrater?
hydrater vs dehydrater
A dehydrater removes water, while a hydrater adds it. They are opposites.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hydrater' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A hydrater adds moisture, so applying it to dry hands is correct. Option 2 is wrong because you drink water, not a hydrater. Option 3 describes a dehydrater. Option 4 also describes removing water, which is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hydrater”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.