cosmetic

[koz-met-ik]

noun

1. a powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge, or other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.

2. cosmetics, superficial measures to make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive.

   The budget committee opted for cosmetics instead of a serious urban renewal plan.

adjective

1. serving to beautify; imparting or improving beauty, especially of the face.

2. used or done superficially to make something look better, more attractive, or more impressive.

   Alterations in the concert hall were only cosmetic and did nothing to improve the acoustics.

cosmetic

/ kɒzˈmɛtɪk /

noun

1. any preparation applied to the body, esp the face, with the intention of beautifying it

adjective

1. serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face

2. having no other function than to beautify

   cosmetic illustrations in a book

3. derogatory,  designed to cover up a greater flaw or deficiency; superficial

   their resignation is a cosmetic exercise

Other Word Forms

• cosmeticology noun
• cosmetically adverb
• anticosmetics adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmetic¹

1595–1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt ( ós ) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmetic¹

C17: from Greek kosmētikos, from kosmein to arrange, from kosmos order

Example Sentences

L’Oreal shares slumped on Wednesday as the chief executive of the highly valued cosmetics company didn’t express huge confidence over upcoming sales.

Read more on MarketWatch

The average selling price for perfume and cosmetics is lower than for clothing or handbags, which helps brands to attract a wide base of consumers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What’s Next: De Meo said the sale would “accelerate the development of fragrance and cosmetics for our major Houses, allowing them to achieve scale.”

Read more on Barron's

For Godo, her failed attempt in Tunisia brought shame, but ended with her back in Daloa with a successful cosmetics business.

Read more on Barron's

Developers told Newsbeat these could range from minor cosmetic issues to instructions to ditch whole missions from the game, and there was an expectation that these would be given top priority.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• corrective 
• superficial