aesthetics

or es·thet·ics

[ es-thet-iks or, especially British, ees- ]

/ ɛsˈθɛt ɪks or, especially British, is- /

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noun (used with a singular verb)

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.

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

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Origin of aesthetics

First recorded in 1815–25; see origin at aesthetic, -ics

Words nearby aesthetics

aesthetic distance, aesthetician, aestheticism, aestheticize, aesthetic labour, aesthetics, aestival, aestivate, aestivation, aet., aetatis suae

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aesthetics in a sentence

Taylor shared these results, last year, in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts.
Why fandom feels good — and may be good for you|Maria Temming|November 10, 2022|Science News For Students
When I started out in aesthetics skin care was referred to as “lotions and potions,” the latter making it seem magical or unreal.
The skin care brand striving to make medical-grade topicals both more luxe and accessible|Rachel King|November 29, 2020|Fortune
Retro ballparks like the Rangers’ previous home were widely hailed as improvements — both in aesthetics and fan friendliness — over multi-purpose stadiums, many of which were built in the 1960s and 1970s.
MLB’s Newest Ballpark Is A Shift Away From Retro-Era Stadiums|Travis Sawchik|July 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Some of the pre-eminent innovators at the intersection of art and coding are based at the Aesthetics and Computation Group at MIT.
Frickin’ Laser Beams Run by Eyeballs: The Next Art Revolution Is Here|Nico Hines|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We often talk about religion in terms of commitment and ideology, but the aesthetics and experience matter, too.
Is American Christianity Becoming a Workout Cult?|Michael Schulson|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Think aesthetics as politics, and academic credentials as peerage.
‘Downton Abbey’ Democrats May Cost their Party the Senate|Lloyd Green|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a tense matchup that made up in suspense for what it lacked in aesthetics.
Seahawks-Broncos and 7 Other Thrilling Super Bowl Matchups|Ben Jacobs|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though the designers have markedly different aesthetics, both articulate how intrinsic personalization is to the process.
The New Queens of Haute Couture|Sarah Moroz|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Culture is desirable; but the welfare of nations is based on morals rather than on aesthetics.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume II|John Lord
Many of the books necessary to a first-hand study of the subject are cited in the article Aesthetics.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3|Various
Two more reflections appear completely to meet the objection that art or aesthetics is not entitled to the name of science.
The Aesthetical Essays|Friedrich Schiller
The following year, 1795, appeared his most important contribution to aesthetics, in his Aesthetical Letters.
The Aesthetical Essays|Friedrich Schiller
He held forth on the love of ornament—the cottage parlour moved him thereto—and its connection with aesthetics.
Sons and Lovers|David Herbert Lawrence

British Dictionary definitions for aesthetics

aesthetics

sometimes US esthetics

/ (iːsˈθɛtɪks, ɪs-) /

noun (functioning as singular)

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

the study of the rules and principles of art

Word Origin for aesthetics

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for aesthetics

aesthetics

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.

notes for aesthetics

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

aesthetics

or es·thet·ics

Origin of aesthetics

Words nearby aesthetics

Words related to aesthetics

How to use aesthetics in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aesthetics

sometimes US esthetics

Word Origin for aesthetics

Cultural definitions for aesthetics

notes for aesthetics