lotion

noun

lo·​tion ˈlō-shən 

: a liquid preparation for cosmetic or external medicinal use

Examples of lotion in a Sentence

a bottle of suntan lotion

Recent Examples on the Web

Maybe your $6 drugstore lotion became a $40 luxury brand, or your basic streaming plan turned into the premium version. — Jasmin Suknanan,andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Shop more anti-aging lotions on Amazon, including Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion and the Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion. — Leah Groth, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026

If sprays, lotions, or powders aren’t for you, check out this face stick sunscreen. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

How to apply it properly Start with a cream or lotion 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and work it into the skin like a massage so no spot is missed. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English loscion, from Latin lotion-, lotio act of washing, from lavere to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lotion

• notion
• ocean
• potion
• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion

Kids Definition

lotion

noun

lo·​tion ˈlō-shən 

: a liquid preparation for use as a cosmetic or as a medicine on the outside of the body

Etymology

from Latin lotion-, lotio "act of washing," from lotus, past participle of lavere "to wash" — related to laundry, lavatory, lavish

Medical Definition

lotion

noun

lo·​tion ˈlō-shən 

1

: a liquid usually aqueous medicinal preparation containing one or more insoluble substances and applied externally for skin disorders

2

: a liquid cosmetic preparation usually containing a cleansing, softening, or astringent agent and applied to the skin

hand lotion

aftershave lotion