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Glite Dictionary
after-shave lotion

after-shave lotion

2.9
A scented lotion men use on their face after shaving to soothe and refresh the skin
  • noun
  • /ˈæftərˌʃeɪv ˈloʊʃən/
  • UK
translation icon : loción aftershave
  • After shaving, he applied a soothing after-shave lotion to refresh his skin.

Examples

  • He always chooses a scented after-shave lotion to leave his face feeling smooth.

  • Guido thought it was because of his new after shave lotion but uh... I knew the real truth.

    Just Looking (1999)

  • For a while, she couldn't wear anything except my after-shave lotion.

    The Odd Couple (1968)

  • Using an after-shave lotion helps reduce irritation after a close shave.

Synonyms

aftershave
vsafter-shave lotion
22 2.8

A scented liquid put on the face after shaving to soothe the skin and smell pleasant

focuses on soothing and refreshing the face rather than adding fragrance
toilet water
vsafter-shave lotion
  • Archaic
1 4.6

A light scented liquid people put on their skin to smell nice

is applied specifically after shaving to soothe and refresh facial skin
after-shave
vsafter-shave lotion
  • UK
3.4

Scented liquid you put on your face after shaving to soothe and refresh skin

is the same term but uses the longer phrase including lotion

Surface Forms

after-shave lotion singular
after-shave lotions plural

Morphology

after-shave + lotion

The meaning 'a lotion applied after shaving' is directly and compositionally derived from the constituents: 'after' (following) + 'shave' (the act of shaving) and 'lotion' (a skin treatment). This regular compound formation is predictable and common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the parts would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

After-shave lotion comes from the simple idea of a lotion used after you shave. Barbers and makers used scented liquids to clean and calm the skin and help small cuts, so the phrase now means a scented liquid used 'to soothe and refresh' the face after shaving.