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

Heat and humidity change scents over time, and lotions or oils left out tend to separate or degrade. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025

Body lotion and shower gel in the scents of some of BDK’s bestsellers — Gris Charnel, Rouge Smoking, Pas Ce Soir and Bouquet de Hongrie — will come out in early December. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 1 Dec. 2025

Sourced from a farm in Ramona, products for sale include lotion, laundry soap, fudge and butter made from goat milk. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025

The middle compartment has two spots to keep shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hair spray, and more bottles upright, while the front pocket has pouches for makeup, hair accessories, and other toiletries. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

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