toiletry

American  

[toi-li-tree] / ˈtɔɪ lɪ tri /

noun

• toiletries
  plural

1. any article or preparation used in cleaning or grooming oneself, as soap or deodorant.

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toiletry British  

/ ˈtɔɪlɪtrɪ /

noun

1. an object or cosmetic used in making up, dressing, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• toiletries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of toiletry

First recorded in 1825–35; toilet + -ry

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Explanation

Anything you use for cleaning or grooming yourself is a toiletry. Your travel bag of toiletries might include tiny bottles of shampoo, dental floss, deodorant, and soap. You'll often find this word in its plural form, toiletries. Aid organizations often distribute toiletries to disaster victims so they can clean and care for themselves. And when you pack for a trip, your toiletries are nearly as important as your clothing — without them, you can't brush your teeth or wash your hair! This word stems from toilet and its somewhat old-fashioned meaning, "the process of washing, dressing, and attending to one's appearance."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toiletry toiletries

For a rare breed of travel enthusiast, the free toiletry pouches are more than a throwaway convenience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Then-Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the dominance of "tiny toiletry" was nearly over.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026

While Enck would prefer consumers shop at stores that sell toiletry refills, ditch plastic coffee pods and take other steps, she acknowledges that such choices are not yet realistic for many people.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026

I had toiletry bags that were dumped upside down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2024

I took my toiletry case into the bathroom and put it on the shelf.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

WSJ | Buy Side: This unique makeup bag has sides that fold down, plus smart pockets for keeping cosmetics and other toiletries secure while traveling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Not just for food but cosmetics and toiletries too.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Murrell - the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon - used the funds to buy goods ranging from cars and a motorhome to kitchenware and toiletries.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Making a “CVS run” for toiletries has turned into a “CVS crawl.”

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

We opened our duffel bags for the first time and found that Hermes realty had thought of everything—extra clothes, toiletries, camp rations, a Ziploc bag full of cash, a leather pouch full of golden drachmas.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

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