shaving-cream

A man applies shaving-cream to his face in the bathroom.

Definition

1. Noun (mass noun):
   • A preparation for shaving: "Shaving-cream" is a soft, creamy substance applied to the face or other body parts before shaving to soften the hair, lubricate the skin, and reduce irritation from the razor.

Usage Examples

• (A cream used to prepare the skin for shaving.)
• (The container holding the cream.)
• (The cream is massaged to create foam.)

Advanced Usage

• "to lather up shaving-cream": to work the cream into a foam or froth.

  • He lathered up the shaving-cream with a brush for a traditional shave. (He used a brush to create a thick foam.)

• "a dollop of shaving-cream": a small, rounded amount of the cream.

  • She squeezed a dollop of shaving-cream onto her fingers. (A small blob of cream.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shaving (n): the act of removing hair with a razor.
  • He finished his morning shaving in five minutes. (The process of shaving.)
• Cream (n): a thick, soft substance used for cosmetic or medicinal purposes.
  • She applied hand cream to moisturize her skin. (A cosmetic cream.)
• Shaving foam (n): a similar product that is lighter and more aerated than cream.
  • He prefers shaving foam because it spreads more easily. (Another type of shaving preparation.)

Synonyms

• Shaving gel: a gel-like alternative to cream.
• Razor lubricant: a technical term for products that reduce friction during shaving.
• Pre-shave cream: a product applied before shaving, often for sensitive skin.

Related Idioms

• "Smooth as shaving-cream": used figuratively to describe something very smooth or easy.
  • The new software update made the process smooth as shaving-cream. (Effortless and without problems.)

Phrasal Verbs (none directly applicable)

• "Lather up" (phrasal verb): to produce foam from soap or cream.
  • He lathered up the shaving-cream with his hands. (He made it foamy.)

Note

• Compound word: "shaving-cream" is a compound noun formed from "shaving" (the act) and "cream" (the substance). It is often written with a hyphen (shaving-cream) or as two separate words (shaving cream). Both forms are correct, but the hyphenated version emphasizes the combination.