douche

noun

1
a
: a jet (see jet entry 1 sense 3a(1)) or current of liquid (such as a cleansing solution) directed against or into a bodily part or cavity (such as the vagina)
b
: an act of cleansing with a douche
2
: a device for giving douches
3
British : an abrupt often chastening shock to the nerves, emotions, or awareness
the icy douche (what he said about my work)John Fowles
4
chiefly US slang : an obnoxious or offensive person : douchebag
In the show Edward is portrayed as a thin-skinned, self-serving faker, or, as one of the show's principals Stan so pithily repeats throughout the program, "a liar," "a fake," and "a douche."David Daegling et al.
douche verb

Examples of douche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Avoid using douches, feminine washes, or scented products on your genitals.14 When To See a Healthcare Provider Fordyce spots are not harmful and are considered benign skin lesions (non-cancerous bumps). Carley Millhone, Health, 19 Oct. 2024 Since the dawn of civilization it’s been the human race versus a few power-lord douches. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 When eczema affects your vulva, however, certain types of underwear (or lack thereof, since threads and seams can be a problem), creams, or douches, can, quite literally, make your skin crawl. Julia Ries, SELF, 26 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'douche.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian doccia, from docciare to douche, from doccia water pipe, probably back-formation from doccione conduit, from Latin duction-, ductio means of conveying water, from ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of douche was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near douche

Cite this Entry

“Douche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/douche. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

douche

noun
1
: a cleansing of a part or cavity of the body by means of a jet of liquid (as water)
2
: a device for giving douches
douche verb

Medical Definition

douche

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a jet or current of liquid (as a cleansing solution) directed against or into a bodily part or cavity (as the vagina)
b
: an act of cleansing with a douche
2
: a device for giving douches

douche

2 of 2 verb
douched; douching

transitive verb

: to administer or apply a douche to

intransitive verb

: to take a douche
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!