Definition

Noun: A lightly scented liquid intended for application to the skin after bathing or as a light fragrance. It is less concentrated and typically lighter than cologne or perfume.

Usage

"Toilet water" is a somewhat dated or formal term for what is now more commonly called "eau de toilette." It is used as a noun to refer to the fragrant liquid itself. - She applied a splash of lavender toilet water before leaving the house. - The gift set included soap, lotion, and a bottle of rose-scented toilet water.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be found in historical or literary contexts to describe personal grooming habits of the past.
• In modern commercial contexts, the French term "eau de toilette" is almost universally preferred in English to avoid any potential misunderstanding or perceived vulgarity from the word "toilet."

Variants and Related Words

• Eau de toilette (n): The modern, direct French borrowing used in English for the same product. This is the standard contemporary term.
• Cologne (n): A similar fragrant liquid, often used interchangeably in casual speech, though traditionally cologne (eau de cologne) is even lighter in fragrance concentration than eau de toilette.
• Perfume (n): A fragrance with a much higher concentration of aromatic oils, making it stronger and longer-lasting than toilet water.

Synonyms

• Eau de toilette
• Scented water (archaic)
• Light fragrance

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "toilet water" should not be confused with water from a toilet (the plumbing fixture). This potential for confusion is the primary reason the term has fallen out of everyday use in favor of "eau de toilette." In the context of fragrance, "toilet" relates to the older French meaning of "toilette," referring to the process of washing, grooming, and dressing.

Noun

1. a perfumed liquid lighter than cologne