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after-shave

after-shave

3.4
Scented liquid you put on your face after shaving to soothe and refresh skin
  • noun
  • /ˈæftərˌʃeɪv/
  • UK
translation icon : aftershave
  • After shaving with a new blade, you should pamper the skin with a soothing after-shave lotion.

Examples

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

  • Later that evening, when the soldier had gone to take Etty to the movies, not before using all the hot water in the boiler and helping himself freely to Geller's after-shave, the house seemed hollow and empty.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Do you have after-shave?" I call to him.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Guido thought it was because of his new after shave lotion but uh... I knew the real truth.

  • Besides, I know it was a man because I smelled after-shave on the couch.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • An odor of after-shave or stick deodorant would be in the air.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • No men's toiletries, no after-shave, not even a razor.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He always applies a scented after-shave to refresh his skin after shaving.

  • The bathroom smelled of after-shave when he finished getting ready for the day.

Synonyms

aftershave
vsafter-shave
22 2.8

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

is more specific about being a lotion for the face rather than any liquid
after-shave lotion
vsafter-shave
  • UK
2.9

A scented lotion men use on their face after shaving to soothe and refresh the skin

is neutral about gender while keeping the same soothing purpose

Surface Forms

after-shave singular
after-shaves plural

Morphology

after-shave = shave (transparent) = after + shave

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'after' + 'shave' meaning a product used after shaving. [Postprocessing: moved 'after' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

After-shave comes from the simple parts after 'after' and shave 'to cut hair'. So it is the lotion you put on your face 'after' shaving to soothe and freshen the skin.