cellulite

American  

[sel-yuh-lahyt, -leet] / ˈsɛl jəˌlaɪt, -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

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Compare meaning

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

• cellulitis vs. cellulite

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cellulite

The entrepreneur, convicted of defrauding the bank, and her lawyers have racked up $144.2 million in bills, with receipts including gummy bears and cellulite butter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

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

From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2025

Anyone standing next to me would have seen flat abs, slim thighs; to me, the reflection still showed cellulite and chubby cheeks.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2024

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

My thighs are thick with cellulite and my love handles hang over the waistband of my shorts.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

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Related Words

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