What does pomade mean?
Pomade is an oily, often scented preparation used to smooth and style the hair. It is especially associated with traditional barbershop grooming, although the term remains in ordinary use for classic hair products. In sentences such as “she smoothed his hair with pomade,” it names the substance itself; as a verb, “pomade the hair” describes the act of applying it. Pomade can be treated as a mass noun, while “pomades” is appropriate when several distinct products or formulations are being discussed. The word has an unusual culinary past: through French and Italian, it traces to Latin words for apple, linking the name to an old apple preparation rather than to any ingredient required in modern pomades. Today, the term generally suggests smooth, glossy, traditionally styled hair, although related products such as wax or gel may be chosen for stronger hold or a lighter texture.
An oily or waxy preparation, often scented, used to smooth and style the hair. Historically, it could also denote an oily or medicated preparation applied to the skin or hair.
"He reached for the pomade and carefully shaped the hair around the crown."
The hair-grooming sense is dominant today; the broader skin and hair-ointment senses are chiefly historical.
To put pomade on the hair, especially as part of careful or traditional grooming.
"She pomaded her hair before pinning it into an elaborate bun."
The verb is transitive and is now less common than the noun, particularly outside descriptions of traditional or careful grooming.
Usually plural only when referring to different products, formulations, or examples of pomade; as a substance, pomade is normally a mass noun.
"The shop stocks several pomades for different kinds of hair."
Pomade was once an apple ointment: its name travels through French and Italian to the Latin word for apple.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pomade come from?
The English word entered from French pommade, whose source was ultimately Italian pomata. Italian pomata came from pomare, “to apply pomum,” meaning apple, from Latin pomum, “apple”; it referred to an apple-based preparation whose name came to be associated with pomade. English words sharing the Latin apple root include pomaceous, pomologist, and pomegranate.
Related word forms
How pomade is actually used
Pomade remains natural in both British and American English, especially in traditional barbershop and vintage-grooming contexts. It can sound more old-fashioned than the broader terms hair product or hair dressing, while also suggesting a smooth, glossy finish.
Easily confused with pomade
Pomelo is the large citrus fruit whose name can resemble pomade in spelling; pomade is an oily preparation used for grooming the hair or historically for the skin.