Prophylactic Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

Something that is used to prevent disease or unwanted outcomes, especially a device or substance that protects against infection or pregnancy. Can also refer to something preventive in general.

Usage & Nuances

Often formal or medical; can refer to condoms but also to any preventive method, medicine, or measure. In common speech, 'prophylactic' as a noun usually refers to a condom, but as an adjective it means 'preventive.' Context is key to understanding which meaning is intended.

• Spanish: profiláctico - preventivo
• Portuguese (BR): profilático - preventivo
• Portuguese (PT): profilático - preventivo
• Chinese (Simplified): 预防性的 - 避孕套
• Chinese (Traditional): 預防性的 - 保險套
• Hindi: प्रतिरोधक - बचावकारी
• Arabic: واقي (للوقاية) - وقائي
• Bengali: প্রোফিল্যাকটিক - প্রতিরোধক - কনডম
• Russian: профилактическое средство - презерватив
• Japanese: 予防薬 - 予防措置 - コンドーム
• Vietnamese: dự phòng - thuốc dự phòng - bao cao su
• Korean: 예방약 - 예방책 - 콘돔
• Turkish: profilaktik - koruyucu - prezervatif
• Urdu: حفاظتی دوا - احتیاطی تدبیر - کنڈوم
• Indonesian: thuốc dự phòng - biện pháp phòng ngừa - bao cao su

Example Sentences

The doctor gave him a prophylactic to prevent infection.

basic

Using a prophylactic can help prevent the spread of disease.

basic

Some medicines are taken as a prophylactic before traveling.

basic

I took a malaria prophylactic before my trip to Africa.

natural

You should always carry a prophylactic, just in case.

natural

The hospital uses strict prophylactic measures during surgery.

natural