glycerin

noun

glyc·​er·​in ˈgli-s(ə-)rən How to pronounce glycerin (audio)
variants or glycerine
: glycerol

Examples of glycerin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mix of argan and avocado oils helps support firmness and elasticity, while glycerin and shea butter help plump and smooth. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Rōz’s Evergreen Style Cream pairs glycerin, sunflower oil, and shea butter to moisturize and soften with carnauba wax and styling polymers for flexible definition that still lets hair move. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 Thanks to the hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which both help lock in moisture, my face looked dewy all day. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 In addition to the plumping voluform, the masks also include hyaluronic acid, collagen, and glycerin. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glycerin

Word History

Etymology

French glycérine, from Greek glykeros sweet; akin to Greek glykys

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycerin was in 1830

Rhymes for glycerin

See All Rhymes for glycerin

Browse Nearby Words

glyceride
glycerin
glycerinate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glycerin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycerin. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

glycerin

noun
glyc·​er·​in
variants or glycerine
ˈglis-(ə-)rən How to pronounce glycerin (audio)
: glycerol

Medical Definition

glycerin

noun
glyc·​er·​in
variants or glycerine
ˈglis-(ə-)rən How to pronounce glycerin (audio)
: glycerol

More from Merriam-Webster on glycerin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycerin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All