Definition

A man-made chemical used to kill insects, often found in household sprays and products. It is similar to a natural insect-repelling substance called pyrethrin.

Example

The pest control company recommended using allethrin to eliminate the mosquitoes in the backyard.

Conversation

Have you heard about allethrin?

Yeah, it’s that insecticide they use in those household sprays, right?

Exactly! I read that it's similar to pyrethrin but more effective indoors.

That makes sense; I've noticed it really helps keep the bugs away.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Allethrin is derived from the prefix "alleth-" (which is a modification of the word "allethrin" itself, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide) and the suffix "-in" (commonly used in chemistry to denote substances). The word refers to a specific chemical compound used for pest control.

Memory Tip

Think of 'alleth-' as a unique name for a synthetic insecticide, and '-in' indicating it's a chemical substance. This helps you remember that allethrin is a specific chemical used to control pests.

Visually Confused Words