Definition

1. Noun:
   • A perfumed liquid lighter than cologne: Eau de toilette is a type of fragrance product. It is a scented liquid that contains a lower concentration of perfume oils than eau de parfum or perfume, but a higher concentration than cologne. It is designed to be a lighter, more subtle fragrance often used for daily wear.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • She prefers eau de toilette because it is lighter and less overpowering than perfume.
  • This brand's eau de toilette has a fresh, citrus scent perfect for summer.
  • He applied a splash of eau de toilette after his shower.

Advanced Usage

• As a category: The term is often used to distinguish a product's strength within a brand's fragrance line.
  • The new scent is available as both an eau de parfum and a lighter eau de toilette.

Variants and Related Words

• Eau de cologne (or simply "cologne"): A fragrance with an even lower concentration of perfume oils than eau de toilette, traditionally with a fresh, citrus character.
• Eau de parfum: A fragrance with a higher concentration of perfume oils than eau de toilette, making it stronger and longer-lasting.
• Perfume (or "parfum"): The most concentrated form of fragrance, with the highest percentage of perfume oils.

Synonyms

• Toilet water: A direct, less common English translation of "eau de toilette."
• Light fragrance: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its subtle nature.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is borrowed from French, where "eau" means "water" and "toilette" refers to grooming or dressing. It literally translates to "grooming water."
• It is important to note that "eau de toilette" refers specifically to the fragrance concentration. It is not a synonym for "cologne," which is a different, typically lighter concentration, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation.

Noun

1. a perfumed liquid lighter than cologne