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

The Moxy Hotel, a brand of Marriott International, is putting on its final layer of lipstick and cologne, as director of sales and marketing Giovanna Kannady put it. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2025

Sonny Carrillo was headed to a friend’s birthday dinner, dressed up and smelling of Acqua di Gio cologne. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025

There's Insurrection cologne for the gym, Jean Paul Gaultier mixed with a lotion for media interviews and various others from Bulgari to Prada. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

That year, sales of prestige perfumes and colognes, the largest segment in fragrance, grew 14% year-over-year, according to market research firm Circana. —Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 15 May 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