What does epilator mean?
An epilator is an electrical grooming device designed to remove unwanted body hair by mechanically grasping multiple hairs at once and pulling them out from the root. Unlike a razor, which cuts hair at the skin's surface and requires frequent re-shaving, an epilator extracts the entire hair, leaving skin smooth for several days or even weeks. Epilators typically feature a rotating head lined with tiny tweezers or springs that catch hairs as the device glides over the skin. The process can be uncomfortable, particularly for first-time users, though many find that regular use lessens the sensation. Modern models often include features such as wet-and-dry capability for shower use, interchangeable attachments, and built-in lights to reveal fine hairs. The word derives from the verb 'epilate', rooted in Latin terms relating to hair removal. It appears chiefly in consumer, retail, and beauty contexts and carries no strong regional restrictions.
nounAn electrical device used to remove body hair by mechanically grasping and pulling out multiple hairs simultaneously from the root.
- An electrical device that removes unwanted body hair by grasping and pulling out multiple hairs at once.
"She used an epilator to keep her legs smooth for weeks at a time."
"She bought a rechargeable epilator to avoid shaving every few days."
"Modern wet-and-dry epilators can be used in the shower to reduce discomfort."
Standard English plural; used when referring to devices generally or multiple units.
"Most modern epilators come with interchangeable heads for different body areas."
An epilator yanks hairs out by the root, so results last weeks — which is why the first use is famously memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epilator
Epilator comes from the verb 'epilate', meaning to remove hair, combined with the agentive suffix '-or' denoting a device or instrument. The underlying root is the Latin 'pilus', meaning hair, which also gives English words such as 'depilatory' and related dermatological vocabulary. The device sense emerged in the twentieth century alongside the development of mechanical hair-removal appliances.
Related word forms
How epilator is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in consumer and beauty contexts. It refers specifically to a mechanical device that removes hair from the root, distinguishing it from shavers (which cut hair at the skin's surface) and depilatory creams (which chemically dissolve hair).
Easily confused with epilator
An epilator pulls hairs out from the root, while 'depilatory' more broadly refers to any hair-removal agent or method, including creams that dissolve hair at the surface.