cosmetic
Americannoun
-
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
-
serving to beautify; imparting or improving beauty, especially of the face.
-
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
-
serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face
-
having no other function than to beautify
cosmetic illustrations in a book
-
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.
She worries having less voluminous hair could limit her job prospects at medical clinics specializing in cosmetic care or dermatology.
It is now owned by Amorepacific, the country's biggest cosmetics company.
From BBC
The same technology that could cure muscular dystrophy could, in theory, be misused for cosmetic or selective traits.
Other sectors like agriculture and cosmetics also recorded their highest-ever figures, buoyed by strong global interest in the country's pop culture powerhouse, its food and beauty products.
From Barron's
A French ban on the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing containing polluting and health-threatening "forever chemicals" goes into force on Thursday.
From Barron's
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.
