pomade
poh-MEYD
/pɒˈmeɪd/
A greasy, waxy, or water-based substance used for styling hair, providing a slick, shiny appearance.
Unlike modern hair gels which dry stiff and flaky, pomade remains pliable and keeps a high-shine, wet look throughout the day.
The story behind the word. The word pomade traces back to the Italian 'pomata' and French 'pommade', which come from 'pomo' (apple). Historically, early recipes for hair ointments used mashed apples mixed with animal fats and herbs to create a pleasantly scented styling grease.
Word relationships
- hair wax: Hair wax typically offers a matte or semi-matte finish and a stiffer hold, whereas pomade is known for its high shine and pliability.
- brilliantine: Brilliantine is an older, more liquid cosmetic used to soften and add shine to hair, but it offers far less styling hold than pomade.
- dry shampoo: Dry shampoo removes oils and adds matte volume, whereas pomade adds oils and creates a slick, wet look.
Commonly confused with
- gel: Hair gel dries hard, stiff, and can flake, while pomade keeps the hair flexible and shiny without drying out.
Word family
- pomaded (adjective): Slicked or styled with pomade.
- pomading (verb): The act of applying pomade to style hair.
Collocations
- apply pomade
- water-based pomade
- oil-based pomade
- slicked with pomade
Example sentences
- "He combed a generous dollop of pomade through his hair to achieve a perfect, high-shine pompadour." Describing a classic mid-century hairstyle
- "His hair was slicked back with pomade, catching the dim light of the jazz club." A modern literary description of a character
Memory hook
Think of a shiny red apple ('pomo') sitting on top of someone's slick, shiny, pomaded hair. Apples make your hair shine.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to light hair sprays, dry shampoos, or matte styling powders that do not offer a slick, greasy finish.
Fun facts
- In the early 20th century, pomade was often made with bear fat or petroleum jelly before modern water-soluble formulas were invented.
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.