rouge
MediumFormal/Technical (cosmetics), Regional/Sporting (Canadian football)
Definition
Meaning
A red or pink cosmetic powder or cream used to colour the cheeks.
In American football, a single point scored when the ball is kicked out of the opponent's end zone (Canadian usage). More broadly, any reddish powder or substance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count/uncount noun in its cosmetic sense. The Canadian football sense is highly region-specific and not used elsewhere. It carries an antiquated or highly specific air outside cosmetic contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Exclusively or almost exclusively refers to the cosmetic. US: Primarily refers to the cosmetic. The Canadian football term 'rouge' is not used in the US. Both use 'blusher' as a more common modern synonym.
Connotations
In both: 'Rouge' can sound slightly old-fashioned or literary compared to 'blusher'. In cosmetics marketing, 'rouge' may be used for a vintage aesthetic.
Frequency
More frequent in UK historical/literary contexts. In modern everyday speech, 'blusher' is more common in both varieties, but 'rouge' is still standard in the cosmetics industry.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She rouged her cheeks (verb + object)a pot of rouge (of + noun)rouge for the cheeks (for + noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rouge et noir (a gambling game)”
- “not a rouge on her cheek (showing no embarrassment or exertion)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In the cosmetics industry, used to describe a specific product category.
Academic
In historical or cultural studies discussing fashion, beauty standards, or theatre.
Everyday
Less common; 'blusher' is preferred. Might be used for deliberate vintage effect.
Technical
Specific chemistry: 'rouge' can refer to ferric oxide powder used for polishing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The actor rouged his cheeks heavily for the stage performance.
- In the 18th century, it was fashionable for men to rouge.
American English
- She quickly rouged her cheeks before the video call.
- He rouged his complexion to look healthier in the photograph.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother has a small box of rouge.
- She put on some lipstick and rouge.
- This vintage cosmetic set includes powder, rouge, and lip colour.
- Actors often wear rouge so their faces can be seen under bright lights.
- The word 'rouge' comes from French, meaning the colour red.
- Her minimal makeup consisted of a light foundation and a subtle touch of rouge.
- In Canadian football, a rouge is scored by kicking the ball through the end zone.
- The historian examined the social stigma once attached to women who rouged in public.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a French ROUGE (red) lady applying RED ROUGE to her cheeks. The word and the colour are the same in French.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOUR IS HEALTH / A ROSY COMPLEXION IS GOOD HEALTH / MAKE-UP IS A MASK
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'рожь' (rye).
- The 'g' is pronounced like the 's' in 'pleasure' (ʒ), not a hard 'g'.
- It is not a general word for the colour red in English (that is 'red').
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /ruːɡ/ or /raʊdʒ/.
- Using it as a general adjective for red (e.g., 'a rouge car').
- Confusing with 'rogue'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'rouge' used to mean a single point in a sport?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday conversation, 'blusher' is more common. 'Rouge' is still standard in the cosmetics industry and is used in historical or literary contexts.
Yes, though it's less common. It means to apply rouge to (e.g., 'She rouged her cheeks'). It has an old-fashioned feel.
As nouns, 'rouge' is the cosmetic product. 'Blush' can be the natural pink colour in cheeks or a synonym for blusher. 'Rouge' cannot mean the natural flush.
It is pronounced /ruːʒ/, rhyming with 'luge'. The final sound is like the 's' in 'pleasure', not a hard 'g'.