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Showing results for cellulite. Search instead for magic cellulite.
Synonyms

cellulite

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

noun

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

cellulite British  
/ ˈsɛljʊˌlaɪt /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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 • Nov. 14, 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.