cellulite

American  

[sel-yuh-lahyt, -leet] / ˈsɛl yəˌlaɪt, -ˌlit /

noun

1. lumpy fat deposits, especially in the thighs and buttocks.

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cellulite British  

/ ˈsɛljʊˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a name sometimes given to subcutaneous fat alleged to resist dieting

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cellulite Cultural  

1. A popular term for fat that is difficult to remove by dieting and that often has a dimpled appearance. There is no physiological difference between cellulite and ordinary fat.

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Etymology

Origin of cellulite

First recorded in 1970–75; from French: literally, “formation of fatty deposits under the skin,” originally, “cellulitis,” equivalent to cellule cell + -ite “-itis” (a suffix indicating inflammation) but taken in English as -ite ¹ (a suffix indicating part of the body); see cellule, -itis, -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does cellulite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cellulitis vs. cellulite

Example Sentences

The medical term for my ailment is an asymmetrical gluteal cleft, though requests to fix it are far less common than those to eliminate cellulite, flatten the tummy, or augment the breasts.

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2026

Some of Javice’s legal expenses, like cellulite butter, were already made public during a court hearing last month, but Monday’s filing details a wide-ranging list of charges the bank takes issue with.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Some claimed GPs dismissed symptoms as a "severe bout of cellulite", "growing pains", obesity and arthritis.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

She was panicked that other teammates, spectators, coaches, officials, et. al might be able to see cellulite on her legs.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2024

He pressed a pump that dispensed cellulite gel and massaged it into the back of his ungloved hand.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• flesh