detoxify

verb

de·​tox·​i·​fy (ˌ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī 

detoxified; detoxifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove a harmful substance (such as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such from

b

: to render (a harmful substance) harmless

2

: to free (someone, such as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance

3

: neutralize sense 2

detoxification

(ˌ)dē-ˌtäk-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Did you know?

These days, detoxify can mean to free (someone) from a substance addiction (and yes, it's the source of detox, a more recent word that also refers to getting drugs or alcohol out of a person's system). Originally, however, detoxification was something done to things rather than to people. In its earliest uses - from about 1905 - detoxify referred to the removal of poison, or of poisonous or damaging properties, from a harmful substance, or to the removal of poisonous or toxic substances from something contaminated (such as the bloodstream).The specific application to removing poison from an addict is relatively new, dating to the mid-20th century. Today, detoxify is also often used generally in reference to counteracting the activity or effect of anything harmful (such as propaganda).

Examples of detoxify in a Sentence

a special tea that is supposed to detoxify the body

a drug addict who is being detoxified

Recent Examples on the Web

The charcoal formula is said to have detoxifying properties that help draw out any impurities clogging the hair follicle that cause buildup on the scalp and lead to itchiness. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2024

This detoxifying agent is well known in natural medicine for promoting liver health. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

The Benefits of Dry Brushing As well as stimulating lymphatic drainage, which helps in detoxifying the body, dry brushing is supposed to be great for removing dead skin cells to smooth skin, boosting blood circulation and reducing puffiness and water retention. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

The body naturally detoxifies through the liver, and regular blood donations may help remove chemicals from the blood. Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemical compounds in several household products. —Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Medical Definition

detoxify

verb

de·​tox·​i·​fy (ˈ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī 

detoxified; detoxifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove a poison or toxin or the effect of such from

b

: to render (a harmful substance) harmless

2

: to free (as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance

the clinic started detoxifying him by gradually lowering his dosage

—J. M. Markham

intransitive verb

: to become free of addiction to a drug or alcohol

detoxification

(ˌ)dē-ˌtäk-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun