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); 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

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

He cited the cellulite butter, a moisturizer that is supposed to help reduce the bumps and ripples on skin created by cellulite.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From Salon

Appropriate to a realm in which death and cellulite are not a thing, Barbie Land revels in the bright tones of immortality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flesh