# mascara

/mæˈskɛɹə/ (US) · /mæskˈɑːɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mascara
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a dark liquid or cream that you put on your eyelashes to make them look longer and thicker.

For teachers: a cosmetic substance applied to the eyelashes to darken, thicken, or lengthen them.

## Examples

- She applies mascara every morning before work.
- The waterproof mascara stayed on even after she spent the afternoon swimming at the beach.
- While early formulations often relied on coal dust and petroleum jelly, modern mascara uses a sophisticated blend of waxes and pigments to achieve a smudge-resistant finish.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to a specific brand or tube.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.