eau de cologne

noun

eau de co·​logne ˌō-də-kə-ˈlōn How to pronounce eau de cologne (audio)
plural eaux de cologne ˌō(z)-də-kə-ˈlōn How to pronounce eau de cologne (audio)

Examples of eau de cologne in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Spruce, wry, soigné, specific Mr. V., pleasantly redolent of eau de cologne, had been replaced by an exhausted, old, generic guy in a shapeless hospital garment who smelled off. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Its six-piece debut offers organic lip balm, hand soap and lotion, body soap and lotion, as well as an eau de cologne—all made in France. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 Some companies make eau de toilette, eau de cologne and eau de parfum versions of the same fragrance. Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022 Eau de cologne’s staying power will be about the same as eau fraiche; the main difference is that eau de cologne is made up of more alcohol and eau fraiche contains more water. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 Should men wear eau de cologne, eau de parfum or eau de toilette? Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022 Shortly after its creation, eau de cologne was shipped to nearly every European royal house. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 22 Sep. 2022 The odor of eau de cologne, of food cooking, of cards, of rooms, of dust, nauseates me. Mavis Gallant, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2022 His Bigarade Concentrée, a bitter-orange eau de cologne, has also enjoyed gender-bending success, boasting the same fresh appeal as Mäurer & Wirtz’s citrus classic, 4711. Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eau de cologne.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, Cologne water, from Cologne, Germany

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eau de cologne was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near eau de cologne

Cite this Entry

“Eau de cologne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eau%20de%20cologne. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on eau de cologne

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!