cosmetology

American

[koz-mi-tol-uh-jee] / ˌkɒz mɪˈtɒl ə dʒi /

noun

the art or profession of applying cosmetics.

cosmetology British

/ ˌkɒzmɛˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

the work of beauty therapists, including hairdressing, facials, manicures, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of cosmetology

1850–55; < Greek kosmētó ( s ) adorned, arranged ( see cosmetic) + -logy, apparently modeled on French cosmétologie

Vocabulary lists containing cosmetology

Elements of the Universe: Cosm, Cosmo ("Universe")

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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:

cosmetology

These shorter programs help prepare students for jobs in cosmetology, medical billing and more.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

Now, she’s excited by cosmetology and intends to support herself one day as a hair stylist.

From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2026

She got her hair done—a cut just above the shoulder, a dark mahogany dye job and a blow out—at the facility’s prisoner-run salon where inmates can earn credit toward cosmetology certificates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2025

He said he likes to focus on the "positive aspects" of life and is getting ready to go to college to study cosmetology.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2025

Using her small inheritance, my mother enrolled in cosmetology school.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023