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

• cosmetically adverb
• anticosmetics adjective
• cosmeticology noun

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

He went on to introduce glasses, sportswear, cosmetics and accessories.

From BBC

The promise is that we can shape behavior; the fallacy is that the power rarely reaches beyond cosmetic concessions.

From Salon

Harvested fruit from shea nut trees have to be crushed, roasted and boiled to extract their oil to produce the shea butter used in cosmetics.

From BBC

If that comes in the shape of cosmetic surgery - so be it.

From BBC

Miss MaCleod now sells her products on an alternative cosmetic retailer site and believes there will be a shift in consumer purchasing habits after the problems on TikTok Shop.

From BBC

Related Words

• corrective 
• superficial