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

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 Another Neutrogena pick, this SPF 70 sun lotion comes recommended from a pilot who left it a five-star rating on Amazon. —Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025

Its elegance is evident right off the bat, and I was equally mesmerized by that luscious floral print and the silk it’s made of (which honestly felt like lotion on my skin). —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025

Lab tests showed that even a microns-thick transparent layer of the new lotions effectively blocked UV light. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025

If the itching is severe, your health care provider may recommend prescription-strength lotions or creams, the Mayo Clinic said. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 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