rouge

1 of 2

noun

ˈrüzh 

 especially Southern  ˈrüj

1

: any of various cosmetics for coloring the cheeks or lips red

2

: a red powder consisting essentially of ferric oxide used in polishing glass, metal, or gems and as a pigment

rouge

2 of 2

verb

rouged; rouging

transitive verb

1

: to apply rouge to

2

: to cause to redden

intransitive verb

: to use rouge

Examples of rouge in a Sentence

Noun

She was wearing too much rouge.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With her top spy on the verge of going rouge, Mrs. Reed beckons Sam (Ben Whishaw), an assassin and old friend of Helen’s, back to London after a long hiatus and orders him to keep Helen and the organization safe. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

The doors close ominously as the rouge student comes in direct contact with Jacob’s skin while patting him on the back for his bravery. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024

Verb

Come on, babe, and take a look at all the many celebrities who have rouged their knees and rolled their stockings down with the cast of the Broadway show (all 58 of them!) 01 Olivia Holt The actress and singer, 25, made her Broadway debut in Chicago on April 10, 2023, at the Ambassador Theatre. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2023

In ancient Egypt, both men and women were known to rouge their cheeks with a mixture of brownish-red pigment. —Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 18 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, from rouge red, from Latin rubeus reddish — more at ruby

First Known Use

Noun

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

rouge

1 of 2 noun

ˈrüzh 

 especially Southern  ˈrüj

1

: a cosmetic used to give a red color to the cheeks or lips

2

: a red powder consisting essentially of ferric oxide used for polishing (as glass or metal)

rouge

2 of 2 verb

rouged; rouging

: to put rouge on