moisturize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of moisturize
Explanation
To moisturize is to add moisture to something or make it less dry. The purpose of hand lotion is to moisturize your dry hands. Moisturize is most often used to talk about beauty products, like lotions and moisturizers. If your skin's dry, oil or cream will bring some moisture and softness back to it. And, if your hair is brittle, conditioner will moisturize it and make it smoother. A diet with plenty of healthful fat can help moisturize your hair and skin too. Moisturize adds -ize, a verb-forming suffix, to moisture, from the Old French moistour, "dampness."
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.
After 40 minutes of the technician repeatedly dragging a warm and gooey wand across my chest, I had 95 images—and enough gel on my skin to moisturize a lizard for a year.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
His own routine is pretty basic: cleanse, tone and moisturize along with using the line’s other products including facial scrub, antiperspirant and body washes.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026
Being African American, something happens when you don’t moisturize your skin.
From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2023
Help guests moisturize after hand-washing with a solid lotion/moisturizer, such as one from Kate McLeod.
From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2022
“We’re not minors, neither of us. We’re just shorter than average adults. And we moisturize our faces every hour on the hour, so we don’t wrinkle.”
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
