mascara

American  

[ma-skar-uh, ma-skahr-uh] / mæˈskær ə, mæˈskɑr ə /

noun

1. a substance used as a cosmetic to color the eyelashes and eyebrows.

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verb (used with object)

1. to apply mascara to.

mascara British  

/ mæˈskɑːrə /

noun

1. a cosmetic substance for darkening, colouring, and thickening the eyelashes, applied with a brush or rod

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Etymology

Origin of mascara

1885–90; < Spanish: mask; mask

Example Sentences

Rehberger takes out a tube of mascara and begins brushing it on his beard for color, smiling as he does so.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Where once they were garish young rockers buried under mascara, now they are garish older rockers, desperately hanging onto their youth.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025

“My father would walk into the room and he would light it up,” she says, wiping her mascara in a confessional.

From Salon • May 5, 2025

They’ve even found their way into makeup; Hailey Bieber’s brand Rhode released a popular peptide-packed lip tint last year, and you can find them in mascara, eye shadow, blush … the list goes on.

From Slate • May 4, 2025

“Beyonce’s favorite makeup is mascara, but she’s allergic to perfume.”

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben