Antiseptic vs. Aseptic — What's the Difference?

An antiseptic (from Greek ἀντί anti, "against" and σηπτικός sēptikos, "putrefactive") is an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by the latter's ability to safely destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects.Antibacterials include antiseptics that have the proven ability to act against bacteria.

Free from contamination caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; surgically sterile or sterilized.

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.

Free of pathogenic microorganisms

Devoid of infectious agents; aseptic.

Using methods intending to exclude pathogenic microorganisms

Of or associated with the use of antiseptics.

Lacking animation or emotion

Devoid of enlivening or enriching qualities

Free of disease-causing microbes.

Free of disturbing or unpleasant features; sanitized

(medicine) Used to protect against infection by disease-causing microbes.

A substance that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.

(food industry) pasteurised.

Of, or relating to antisepsis, or the use of antiseptics.

Not liable to putrefaction; nonputrescent.

(pharmaceutical effect) Capable of preventing microbial infection.

Free from pathogenic microorganisms; sterile; as, aseptic operating conditions.

Very clean; aseptic.

Lacking emotion, human warmth, or excitement.

Free of unpleasantness; prim, sanitized or bowdlerized.

An aseptic substance.

(pharmaceutical drug) Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics).

Free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms;

Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive.

A substance which kills or retards the growth of microorganisms, especially when used for protection against infection; a substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona, and many other agents sold commercially.

A substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues

Thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms;

Clean and honest;

Freeing from error or corruption;

Made free from live bacteria or other microorganisms;

(extended sense) of exceptionally clean language;