cologne

noun

co·​logne kə-ˈlōn 

1

: a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils

2

: a cream or paste of cologne sometimes formed into a semisolid stick

cologned

kə-ˈlōnd 

adjective

Examples of cologne in a Sentence

She put on some cologne and combed her hair.

a TV commercial for men's cologne

TV commercials for men's colognes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your affordable cologne questions, answered What are the differences between a cologne, an eau de toilette, and an eau de parfum? —Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 2 May 2025

On April 16, Century Bakery asked visitors wearing strong perfumes or colognes to use the drive-thru instead of ordering in-store. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

This Smells Like: A nutty, fresh cologne with an earthy finish. —Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025

Not all colognes are created equal, in terms of their projection, sillage, or longevity—and that’s by design. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Cologne, Germany

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cologne

• eau de cologne

Rhymes for cologne

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

cologne

noun

co·​logne kə-ˈlōn 

: a liquid similar to perfume but not as strongly scented or as long-lasting

Etymology

named for Cologne, city in Germany where it was first made

Geographical Definition

Cologne

geographical name

Co·​logne kə-ˈlōn 

variants or German Köln

ˈkœln 

city on the Rhine River in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany population 1,005,775