noun
chlorine
KLAW-reen
noun
1
A greenish, toxic gas element, widely used to disinfect water and as a bleaching agent.
"The pool had a strong smell of chlorine after being cleaned."
"Chlorine is added to tap water in small amounts to kill bacteria."
How to Use Chlorine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chemical element used to disinfect swimming pools and drinking water.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
chlorine smell
chlorine gas
chlorine tablets
Word Forms
chlorines plural
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The pool had a strong smell of _____ after being cleaned.
Etymology
Coined in 1810 by chemist Humphry Davy from Greek khlōros ("pale green") plus the chemical ending -ine.