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

Example Sentences

“Final thoughts,” he tells any young man watching, “Just get any cheap knockoff cologne, use crystals, try taking a shower, I don’t know.”

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2024

Far from the handsome man she has pictured, he struts in with an “air of cheap assurance” and flashes his trinkets, reeking of cheap cologne, hair coated in bear grease.

From Slate • May 27, 2024

Now every time Mami enters my room she sprays agua de violetas, violet cologne, all over me and mutters, “¡Quépeste!”

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar