aesthetics

Or es·thet·ics

[es-thet-iks, ees-]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic, etc., as applicable to the fine arts, with a view to establishing the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art, and the principles underlying or justifying such judgments.

2. the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the sense of beauty.

aesthetics

/ iːsˈθɛtɪks, ɪs- /

noun

1. the branch of philosophy concerned with the study of such concepts as beauty, taste, etc

2. the study of the rules and principles of art

aesthetics

1. The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of art and with judgments concerning beauty. “What is art?” and “What do we mean when we say something is beautiful?” are two questions often asked by aestheticians.

The term aesthete is sometimes used negatively to describe someone whose pursuit of beauty is excessive or appears phony.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aesthetics¹

First recorded in 1815–25; aesthetic, -ics

Word History and Origins

Origin of aesthetics¹

C18: from Greek aisthētikos perceptible by the senses, from aisthesthai to perceive

Example Sentences

As a costume designer, Whitten wasn’t just thinking deeply about the aesthetics of his garments, but also how they would mold to a performing body.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Transactions were captured in clinics, pharmacies and online, showing how illegal Botox has spread across the country's booming aesthetics industry.

Read more on BBC

"It's just hype - it's a trend, a bit like fashion - if everyone buys the same handbag it becomes popular and I'd say it's the same for aesthetics."

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Swapping my workout clothes for jeans became less about aesthetics and more about role-change.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Snocaps, the sisters’ respective aesthetics are distinctive and complementary—despite the familial connection, their singing and songwriting voices are rather different, and between them their stories cover a wide range of experiences.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal