Words / B1

par-uh-SEET-uh-mol/ˌpærəˈsiːtəmɒl/

Paracetamol is the everyday UK name for a common pain and fever tablet (often uncountable as the drug, countable as a tablet). US acetaminophen (often sold as Tylenol). Ibuprofen is a different medicine. Follow the packet: you do not take more than the stated dose. A paracetamol / two paracetamol.

Meaning

A common painkiller and fever medicine (UK; US acetaminophen).

Examples

• “Take a paracetamol if your headache has not gone by lunch.”
• “The corner shop sells paracetamol behind the counter with the other medicines.”
• “I took a paracetamol with a glass of water and went to lie down.”

Good to know

paracetamol (UK). US: acetaminophen. Contrast: ibuprofen (different drug). Dose is on the packet.

Near in meaning

acetaminophen

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