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noun Uncommon

mascara

muh-SKAH-ruh

Mascara (noun) means a cosmetic applied to darken and thicken the eyelashes. Example: “She swept a coat of mascara over her lashes before the interview.”

noun
1
A cosmetic applied to darken and thicken the eyelashes.
"She swept a coat of mascara over her lashes before the interview."
"Her mascara had smudged after crying at the film."
verb
1
To apply mascara to the eyelashes.
"She mascaraed her lashes quickly before running out the door."

How to use mascara

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEyelash makeup — also the name of an Algerian city, unrelated in meaning.

Common pairings
waterproof mascara a coat of mascara smudged mascara

Word forms

mascaraed past tense, mascaras plural, mascaras singular

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She swept a coat of _____ over her lashes before the interview.

Etymology

From Italian maschera, "mask."

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for mascara

See all rhymes for mascara →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mascara” mean?

The word “mascara” means a cosmetic applied to darken and thicken the eyelashes. In plain terms, eyelash makeup — also the name of an Algerian city, unrelated in meaning.

How do you pronounce “mascara”?

“Mascara” is pronounced muh-SKAH-ruh (/ˌmæsˈkæɹə/ in IPA).

How do you use “mascara” in a sentence?

Here is “mascara” used in a sentence: “She swept a coat of mascara over her lashes before the interview.”

What part of speech is “mascara”?

Depending on how it is used, “mascara” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “mascara” come from?

The word “mascara” comes from Italian. From Italian maschera, "mask.".

Is “mascara” a common word?

“Mascara” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “mascara” have?

“Mascara” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cosmetic applied to darken and thicken the eyelashes.

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