rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrougeRed makeup
noun / verb

rouge

ROOZH/rˈuʒ/

Red cosmetic for cheeks or lips, or its application.

She applies rouge to her cheek with a small brush.

A woman applies red rouge to her cheek with a small cosmetic brush while holding an open compact of matching red powder clearly visible beside her face.
Etymology
rougeLatinred

The adjective meaning “red” became a noun for red coloring matter, then specifically the cosmetic used to give the face artificial color.

In context

British Library10:02
the bright copper color of their face and their their makeup which she later compares to the rouge of saloniers in paris
Writing the World: 18th-Century Women in Global London

More examples

  • The compact held bright red rouge.
  • The actor rouged his cheeks before the performance.
  • They were rouging the performers for the stage lights.

Forms

rouge · rouges · rouged · rouging

Similar words

blush
The usual contemporary cosmetic term for adding cheek color.