gravol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-medium (high frequency in Canada, very low elsewhere)Informal, regional (Canadian)
Quick answer
What does “gravol” mean?
A proprietary brand name for an anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness medication (Dimenhydrinate).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proprietary brand name for an anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness medication (Dimenhydrinate).
Commonly used as a genericized trademark in Canada for any anti-nausea medication, similar to how "Kleenex" is used for tissues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'Gravol' is virtually unknown in the UK and US. The UK uses terms like 'travel sickness tablets' or specific brand names (e.g., 'Kwells'). The US uses the brand 'Dramamine' generically.
Connotations
In Canada, it has neutral, medical connotations. Elsewhere, its use may mark the speaker as Canadian or cause confusion.
Frequency
Extremely frequent in Canadian English; extremely rare in British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “gravol” in a Sentence
SUBJ + take + Gravol + for + OBJ (nausea)SUBJ + buy + GravolVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gravol” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of pharmaceutical sales and marketing in Canada.
Academic
Rare; the technical term 'dimenhydrinate' is used in medical literature.
Everyday
Common in Canadian conversation regarding travel, illness, or pregnancy.
Technical
Not used; the active ingredient or drug class name is preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gravol”
- Using 'a Gravol' (it's generally uncountable).
- Using 'Gravol' in the US/UK and expecting comprehension.
- Misspelling as 'Gravel'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a Canadian brand name for the drug dimenhydrinate, but it is often used generically in Canada.
You can, but most Americans will not recognise it. They use 'Dramamine' as the genericized trademark for the same type of medication.
The active ingredient is dimenhydrinate.
It has been a dominant and widely marketed brand for motion sickness medication in Canada for decades, leading to its generic use.
A proprietary brand name for an anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness medication (Dimenhydrinate).
Gravol is usually informal, regional (canadian) in register.
Gravol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrævɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrævɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As common as Gravol in a Canadian's travel kit.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think GRAVity makes you feel sick when moving (motion sickness), and Gravol makes it go away.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A TOOL (to combat an unwanted force/sensation).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the word 'Gravol' commonly used as a generic term for motion sickness medication?