toilette

Toilette is a noun of French origin, derived from la toilette, meaning the act of washing, dressing, and grooming, as well as the space where such preparation takes place. In English, toilette has historically signified both the routine of personal care and a small dressing room or bathroom. In modern usage it is largely formal or archaic; everyday terms such as bathroom, restroom, or dressing room are more common, though the word survives in certain phrases and products, for example eau de toilette or other grooming items.

Architectural and domestic contexts: In older houses and hotels, a toilette might refer to a private washroom or a dedicated dressing area, sometimes a small room with a sink and mirror adjacent to a bedroom. Today that sense is less common, and design professionals favor terms like en suite, powder room, or utility room.

Fragrance context: In perfumery, the term appears in the name eau de toilette, indicating a lighter fragrance concentration than eau de parfum. Historically, “toilette water” described a scented preparation applied during grooming. The word thus spans the domains of personal care, domestic space, and fragrance, reflecting the historic ritual of preparation before social activity.