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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Saliva

/səˈlaɪvə/ · noun

Meaning

(physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches..

Definitions by Sense

  1. (physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.
  2. (nonstandard) to salivate

Example Sentences

No verified example was returned for this entry.

Synonyms for saliva

spitspittleslobberdrool

Antonyms for saliva

Related Words

spittlespitglandrespiratorysputumtestosteronesalivarybreathsalivationoryzaslaverslobberdribbledroolfoamspit-upexpectorationgobphlegmmucus

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does saliva mean?

Saliva means (physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches..

What is a synonym for saliva?

Common synonyms include spit, spittle, slobber, drool.

What is the opposite of saliva?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use saliva in a sentence?

Use saliva where its definition matches the intended context.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.