What does epilated mean?
"Epilated" is the past tense and past participle of "epilate," meaning to have removed body hair by extracting it from the root rather than cutting it at the surface. Unlike shaving, which leaves stubble within days, epilating keeps skin smooth for longer because each hair must regrow from its follicle. The term is most at home in beauty and personal-grooming contexts, appearing in product reviews, salon descriptions, and skincare advice. It derives from the Latin "pilus" (hair) via "epilare." A related word, "depilated," covers hair removal more broadly, while "epilator" names the handheld device commonly used for the purpose.
verbPast tense and past participle of "epilate": to remove hair from the body by mechanical or chemical means, typically using an epilator or waxing.
- Having had hair removed by pulling it out from the root, as with an epilator or waxing.
"She epilated her legs the night before the beach holiday so her skin would stay smooth for days."
"Her freshly epilated arms felt smooth for nearly two weeks."
"Salons in the city offer professionally epilated results at a premium price."
The word comes straight from Latin "pilus," meaning hair — the same root that gives us "depilatory" creams.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epilated
"Epilate" comes from Latin "epilare," formed from "e-" (out) plus "pilus" (hair). It entered English in the early modern period through scientific and medical vocabulary, alongside the parallel form "depilate." Its everyday prominence grew only in the late twentieth century with the invention of consumer epilation devices.
Related word forms
How epilated is actually used
Most often encountered as a past participle describing skin before or after cosmetic treatment; the verb itself is more common in beauty-industry contexts than everyday speech.
Easily confused with epilated
"Epilated" specifically refers to hair removal by pulling it out from the root (as with an epilator or wax), while "depilated" is a broader or more formal term for any hair removal, including shaving.