tranquillizer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Medical
Quick answer
What does “tranquillizer” mean?
A drug or agent used to reduce anxiety, nervous tension, or agitation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drug or agent used to reduce anxiety, nervous tension, or agitation; a calming substance.
1) Something that induces a state of calm or tranquility. 2) A general term for sedative-hypnotic drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'tranquillizer' is the primary UK spelling (double 'l'), while 'tranquilizer' (single 'l') is the standard US spelling.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, though the UK spelling more directly reflects the root 'tranquil' + 'l' + 'izer'.
Frequency
Slightly higher general frequency in UK English due to spelling retention; in professional medical contexts, frequency is equal.
Grammar
How to Use “tranquillizer” in a Sentence
prescribe [a tranquillizer] for [a patient/condition]administer [a tranquillizer] to [a patient/animal][Patient] takes/is on [a tranquillizer]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tranquillizer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vet had to tranquillise the agitated elephant before transport.
- They tranquillised the patient prior to the minor surgery.
American English
- The rangers will tranquilize the bear for relocation.
- The medication quickly tranquilized the anxious dog.
adverb
British English
- The medicine acted tranquillisingly on her nerves.
adjective
British English
- The tranquillising effect was noticeable within twenty minutes.
- They used a tranquillising dart.
American English
- The tranquilizing properties of the drug are well documented.
- A tranquilizing agent was added to the feed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except perhaps in pharmaceutical business reports.
Academic
Common in medical, psychiatric, pharmacological, and veterinary texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing mental health, medication, or veterinary procedures.
Technical
Standard term in medicine and pharmacology for a class of psychoactive drugs.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tranquillizer”
- Misspelling: 'tranquilizer' (US) vs. 'tranquillizer' (UK).
- Using 'tranquilliser' (UK) – a less common variant.
- Confusing with 'painkiller' (analgesic) or 'sleeping pill' (hypnotic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Tranquillizers (anxiolytics/sedatives) are primarily for immediate relief of anxiety and agitation, often acting quickly. Antidepressants are for treating depression and some anxiety disorders, working over weeks to alter brain chemistry more fundamentally.
They are often used synonymously in general language. Technically, 'sedative' is a broader category that includes tranquillizers (which reduce anxiety) and hypnotics (which induce sleep). All tranquillizers are sedatives, but not all sedatives are specifically anxiolytic tranquillizers.
It follows the British English spelling rule of not dropping the final 'l' of the root word ('tranquil') before a suffix beginning with a vowel ('-izer'). US English typically uses a single 'l' in such cases.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'The gentle music was a tranquillizer for my troubled mind.' However, this is less common, and the primary meaning remains pharmaceutical.
A drug or agent used to reduce anxiety, nervous tension, or agitation.
Tranquillizer is usually formal, medical in register.
Tranquillizer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtræŋ.kwɪ.laɪ.zə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtræŋ.kwə.laɪ.zɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'It makes you tranquil' -> 'tranquil-lizer'. The double 'l' in the British version can be remembered by the phrase 'Little Lions need tranquillizers'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CALM IS DOWN / AGITATION IS A STORM (A tranquillizer 'settles' or 'calms the storm').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a function of a tranquillizer?