cologne

¹ American  

[kuh-lohn] / kəˈloʊn /

noun

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

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Cologne ² American  

[kuh-lohn] / kəˈloʊn /

noun

1. a city in W Germany.

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cologne ¹ British  

/ kəˈləʊn /

noun

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

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Cologne ² 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)

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Cologne Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• cologned adjective

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

Dodge thought she had avoided any repeats when she settled on some cologne from Abercrombie & Fitch for her son.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

He sprayed Sharaa with Trump-branded cologne, before presenting him with his own supply to take home for his wife, jokingly asking him how many he has.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

The thing about guys trying to be like Charlie Sheen is they wear borrowed danger like drugstore cologne.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2025

Tears streamed down my face the whole night because of his cologne and my allergies.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2024

“Very fortunate for me. These zoom lenses. They miss nothing. Hell, oranges—who knew? Could’ve saved a bundle on cologne, candlelit dinners, et cetera, et cetera.”

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson