contraceptive

contraceptive — noun

1. a product such as a pill, injection, or device that a person uses to avoid becom

1.nounB2
Definition

a product such as a pill, injection, or device that a person uses to avoid becoming pregnant

Example

The clinic offers free contraceptives to young people under twenty-five.

passive: contraceptives are offered / provided

Samir and Élise discussed different types of contraceptives with their doctor.

collocation: types of contraceptives

Common collocations
  • oral contraceptive
  • long-term contraceptive
  • free contraceptives
  • types of contraceptives
  • access to contraceptives
Synonyms
  • birth control

    broader, less clinical term that also covers the practice and methods in general

  • condom

    a specific type of contraceptive that also protects against STIs; narrower in meaning

  • the pill

    informal term for oral contraceptive pills only; a subtype of contraceptives

Grammar Patterns

contraceptive is countable; often used in plural

Usage Note

Often used in the plural (contraceptives) when referring to the general category of birth control products. The singular form typically refers to a specific product type or brand.

Common Mistakes

The doctor discussed contraception options.
The doctor discussed contraceptive options.
contraception is the concept (the practice of preventing pregnancy), while contraceptive is the product or method.

contraceptive — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Contraceptive (adj.) refers specifically to products, methods, or services that prevent pregnancy. Birth control is a broader, more everyday term that covers the same range but also includes the general practice of preventing pregnancy — 'birth control pill' and 'contraceptive pill' are interchangeable, but 'birth control' sounds less clinical. Prophylactic is a formal, somewhat dated term that emphasises disease prevention; it is almost never used for pills or implants and is largely limited to condoms in modern English. Family planning is broader still, covering the decision of when and whether to have children, including fertility treatments, not just prevention. For example: 'She uses a contraceptive implant' (medical, specific) vs. 'She practises family planning' (lifestyle, broader).

birth controlprophylacticfamily planning

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • birth control
  • family planning
  • reproductive health

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Contraceptive combines the Latin prefix contra-, meaning 'against,' with conceptive, from Latin concept- (the past participle stem of concipere, 'to take in or become pregnant'). The word entered English in the mid-1800s, at a time when medical discussions about preventing pregnancy were becoming more open. The noun form (a contraceptive) appeared shortly after the adjective.