Meaning & use
spermicidal jelly
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablemedical
A thick, jelly-like substance that kills sperm, used to prevent pregnancy.
Grammar: Uncountable: you say 'spermicidal jelly' without 'a' when talking about the substance in general.
Patterns
- use spermicidal jelly
- a tube of spermicidal jelly
She used spermicidal jelly together with a diaphragm for extra protection.
The doctor explained that spermicidal jelly alone is not very effective at preventing pregnancy.
You can buy spermicidal jelly at most pharmacies without a prescription.
Common combinations
- contraceptive spermicidal jelly
- The clinic provides contraceptive spermicidal jelly free of charge.
- apply spermicidal jelly
- Apply spermicidal jelly according to the instructions.
- a tube of spermicidal jelly
- She bought a tube of spermicidal jelly from the drugstore.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spermicide
- Spermicide is the general word for any substance that kills sperm; spermicidal jelly is one specific form of it.
Word family
- spermicide noun
- A substance that kills sperm.
- spermicidal adjective
- Describing something that kills sperm.
Commonly confused: spermicidal jelly or lubricant? spermicidal jelly or sperm?
spermicidal jelly vs lubricant
A lubricant reduces friction during sex but does not kill sperm; spermicidal jelly is a contraceptive.
spermicidal jelly vs sperm
Sperm are the male reproductive cells; spermicidal jelly is a product that kills them.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'spermicidal jelly' correctly?
Choose one answer.
All are possible: 'a' is used for a particular brand or tube, zero article for the substance in general, and 'the' for a specific one already mentioned. The uncountable use is most common.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spermicidal jelly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.