cosmetic
Americannoun
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a powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge, or other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Explanation
Cosmetic refers to how something or someone looks. Visit the cosmetics department of a store if you are looking to buy lipstick, and visit a cosmetic surgeon if you are looking to buy new lips. The word cosmetic has to do with beauty and appearance. Cosmetic surgery makes someone look better, but isn't necessary medically, like heart surgery. A cosmetic change to a building only changes the building’s appearance. Cosmetic often means the same as decorative or ornamental. Also, cosmetics are items used to adorn, especially women, such as nail polish, lipstick, and eyeliner. All uses of cosmetic have to do with what's on the outside, not what's on the inside.
Vocabulary lists containing cosmetic
Elements of the Universe: Cosm, Cosmo ("Universe")
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Locomotion
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Interpreter of Maladies
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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.
See Examples For:
Parke, who had appeared on television shows to talk about his work, died in February in an unrelated incident which is believed to have happened after he underwent a cosmetic procedure.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Akifumi Funatsu, the director of Gorilla Clinic, says he has noticed more clients coming to the clinic not just for cosmetic reasons, but as a matter of "social etiquette when wearing shorts".
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
The makers of popular GLP-1 drugs have condemned the use of their medications for cosmetic weight loss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
Like many, Tergenbayeva, said she was "attracted by the beautiful photos on Instagram" of other cosmetic operations.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
The ceilings are really high and beautiful with tons of natural light, and I see actual trees and lush greenery in the terminal right next to luxury-brand cosmetic stores.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
From natural cosmetics to oil and gas distribution, Ivory Coast is betting on champion firms that emerged from 15 years of economic growth to carry its development plan forward to 2030.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
One creator recently posted affiliate-marketing videos that depicted her AI twin using products from Rare Beauty, the cosmetics brand founded by actress and pop star Selena Gomez.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
He dropped out of high school to follow John to a job at a cosmetics company, Fuller Products.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
He's facing redundancy from his job at a global cosmetics firm, and the ability to draw down a small amount - effectively a withdrawal from his future state pension - might tide him through.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Her lips were thin, held that way, with the small vertical lines around them you used to see in advertisements for lip cosmetics.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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.
