cosmetic
Americannoun
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a powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge, or other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.
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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
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serving to beautify; imparting or improving beauty, especially of the face.
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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.
noun
adjective
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serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face
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having no other function than to beautify
cosmetic illustrations in a book
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derogatory designed to cover up a greater flaw or deficiency; superficial
their resignation is a cosmetic exercise
Other Word Forms
- anticosmetics adjective
- cosmetically adverb
- cosmeticology noun
Etymology
Origin of cosmetic
1595–1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt ( ós ) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The project began when Manasi Desai, an undergraduate student interested in cosmetic chemistry, approached her research advisor Joshua Lawrence in search of a project.
From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026
He was steadfast that all he was doing was helping, that the objections were cosmetic, and overblown.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
Botulinum toxin - commonly known by the brand name Botox - is more widely known for its use as a cosmetic treatment which works by blocking signals from the nerves that control the facial muscles.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
“What scientist would think that sound energy could help a cosmetic, right?” said Tchinnis, who still works for the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Her lips were darker than her skin, wine-stained, blueberry-dyed, so her face had a cosmetic look—as though she had applied a very dark lipstick neatly and blotted away its shine on a scrap of newspaper.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
