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

And tucked in one aisle, a collection of lotions and balms that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end apothecary — but come from nearby farms. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025

Fake tan lotions typically contain an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a color additive that darkens the skin by reacting with amino acids in the skin's surface. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

Today, Typology has a broad skin care offering, making up 98 percent of the line, from face moisturizer to serum and cleansing lotion. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 May 2025

That prompted Combs to order him to get over-the-counter lotions and other remedies to mask the discoloration, Kaplan told jurors. —Nbc News, NBC news, 22 May 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