rouge
3 synonyms for rouge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to colour the cheeks.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rouge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dab of rouge
apply rouge
Etymology
From French rouge, "red," ultimately from Latin rubeus.
Full origin of rouge →Frequently asked questions
What does “rouge” mean?
The word “rouge” means a red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to colour the cheeks. In plain terms, a pink or red cosmetic for the cheeks — an older term for what's more commonly called "blusher" today.
How do you pronounce “rouge”?
“Rouge” is pronounced ROOZH (/ˈɹuːʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rouge” in a sentence?
Here is “rouge” used in a sentence: “She dabbed a little rouge on her cheeks before the interview.”
What part of speech is “rouge”?
Depending on how it is used, “rouge” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “rouge” come from?
The word “rouge” comes from Latin. From French rouge, "red," ultimately from Latin rubeus.
Is “rouge” a common word?
“Rouge” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rouge” have?
“Rouge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to colour the cheeks.
What is the difference between rouge and blush?
Rouge and blush both refer to a cosmetic used to add color to the cheeks, but rouge is the older, more traditional term, while blush is the word more commonly used in modern cosmetics marketing, especially in North America. Rouge can also carry a slightly vintage or French-influenced connotation.
Is rouge only a noun or can it be used as a verb?
Rouge can function as a noun for the cosmetic itself, an adjective describing a reddish-pink color, and a verb meaning to apply rouge to the cheeks. This flexibility lets it appear in phrases like she rouged her cheeks.
Why does rouge sound like a French word?
Rouge is in fact borrowed from French, where it simply means red, which explains both its adjective sense describing reddish-pink color and its noun sense as a red cosmetic. This French origin is why the word retains its distinctive spelling and pronunciation in English.
