noun
Uncommon
rouge
ROOZH
Rouge (noun) means a red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to color the cheeks. Example: “She dabbed a little rouge on her cheeks before the interview.”
noun
1
A red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to color the cheeks.
"She dabbed a little rouge on her cheeks before the interview."
"The actor wore a touch of rouge so her face looked warmer under the stage lights."
"My grandmother kept a small pot of rouge in her handbag."
adj
1
Reddish-pink in color.
"The dress was a deep rouge shade."
"The sunset turned the clouds a soft rouge color above the harbor."
"He chose a rouge scarf to brighten his plain gray coat."
verb
1
To apply rouge to.
"She rouged her cheeks lightly for the photo."
"The actor rouged his cheeks before stepping onto the stage."
"She rouges her face a little every morning before she goes to work."
How to use rouge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pink or red cosmetic for the cheeks — an older term for what's more commonly called "blusher" today.
UK vs US
Older or more formal word for "blusher/blush," the everyday term in modern makeup use.
Common pairings
dab of rouge
apply rouge
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Word forms
- Plural
- rouges
- Third person singular
- rouges
- Past tense
- rouged
- Comparative
- more rouge
- Superlative
- most rouge
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She dabbed a little _____ on her cheeks before the interview.
Etymology
From French rouge, "red," ultimately from Latin rubeus.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rouge
See all rhymes for rouge →Frequently asked questions
What does “rouge” mean?
The word “rouge” means a red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to color 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 color 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.
