Jump To:

• cologne
  cologne

  noun

  a mildly perfumed toilet water; eau de Cologne.
• Cologne
  Cologne

  noun

  a city in W Germany.

cologne

¹ American  

[kuh-lohn] / kəˈloʊn /

noun

colognes plural

1. a mildly perfumed toilet water; eau de Cologne.

---

Cologne ² American  

[kuh-lohn] / kəˈloʊn /

noun

1. a city in W Germany.

---

Cologne ¹ British  

/ kəˈləʊn /

noun

1. German name: Köln.  an industrial city and river port in W Germany, in North Rhine-Westphalia on the Rhine: important commercially since ancient times; university (1388). Pop: 965 954 (2003 est)

---

cologne ² British  

/ kəˈləʊn /

noun

1. Also called: Cologne water.   eau de Cologne.  a perfumed liquid or solid made of fragrant essential oils and alcohol

---

Cologne Cultural  

1. City in western Germany on the Rhine River; a commercial center.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cologned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• colognes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cologne

Short for Cologne water, made in Cologne since 1709

Explanation

Cologne is a type of perfume, a liquid that smells good and is meant to be dabbed behind your ears. When you get dressed up for a night on the town, you might be sure to put some cologne on your neck. Both men and women wear cologne, which is scented with extracts or oils in a base of alcohol and water. Cologne is considered a kind of toilet water, which is less concentrated than perfume — and can be applied more liberally. If you've ever stood in an elevator with a man wearing an excessive amount of cologne, you know there can be too much of a good thing. The word is from the French eau de Cologne, "water from Cologne (Germany)."

Example Sentences

Like many of their songs, it draws inspiration from Fontaine's hometown of Colne in Lancashire, where the titular paving stone resides outside the town hall.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025

The man, aged in his 80s, was recovered by emergency services from water on Cockhill Lane, Foulridge, Colne, where Noyna Ford is located, at about 16:15 GMT on Saturday, Lancashire Police said.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024

Susan Freear, manager at the Earls Colne Recreation Ground, said the gust of wind "came from nowhere" and lifted gazebos and tents into the air.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2024

As well as underground and traditional tracks, the line will also be carried overhead by the Colne Valley Viaduct.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2023

The Saracen’s Head stood an exact half-mile from the Colne river and the end of Uxbridge town.

From The White Gauntlet by Reid, Mayne