esthetics

[ es-thet-iks ]

/ ɛsˈθɛt ɪks /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR esthetics ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (used with a singular verb)

Nearby words

esthetic, esthetical, esthetician, estheticism, estheticize, esthetics, esthonia, esthonian, estienne, estimable, estimate

Definition for esthetics (2 of 2)

aesthetic

or es·thet·ic

[ es-thet-ik or, esp. British, ees- ]

/ ɛsˈθɛt ɪk or, esp. British, is- /

adjective

relating to the philosophy of aesthetics; concerned with notions such as the beautiful and the ugly.

relating to the science of aesthetics; concerned with the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the sense of beauty.

having a sense of the beautiful; characterized by a love of beauty.

relating to, involving, or concerned with pure emotion and sensation as opposed to pure intellectuality.

noun

the philosophical theory or set of principles governing the idea of beauty at a given time and place: the clean lines, bare surfaces, and sense of space that bespeak the machine-age aesthetic; the Cubist aesthetic.

a particular individual’s set of ideas about style and taste, along with its expression: the designer’s aesthetic of accessible, wearable fashion; a great aesthetic on her blog.

one’s set of principles or worldview as expressed through outward appearance, behavior, or actions: the democratic aesthetic of the abolitionists.

Archaic. the study of the nature of sensation.

Origin of aesthetic

1795–1800; < New Latin aesthēticus < Greek aisthētikós “pertaining to sense perception, perceptible, sensitive” equivalent to aisthēt(ḗs) (see aesthete) + -ikos -ic

SYNONYMS FOR aesthetic

3 discriminating, cultivated, refined.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aesthetic ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

non·aes·thet·ic, adjectivepseu·do·aes·thet·ic, adjective

Can be confused

acetic aesthetic ascetic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for esthetics

The esthetics of the redman have been too particular to permit of universal understanding, and of universal adaptation.
Adventures in the Arts|Marsden Hartley
Drafts for the dedication, the preface, and for a work on Esthetics.
Albert Durer|T. Sturge Moore
Science looks upon him as a phenomenon; esthetics looks upon him as a giant of masterful expression in our midst.
Adventures in the Arts|Marsden Hartley
Associated words: esthetics, æsthetic, æstheticism, æsthete.
Putnam's Word Book|Louis A. Flemming

Esthetics is not my forte, hence I shall not attempt to describe the young girl.
The Wonderful Story of Ravalette|Paschal Beverly Randolph

British Dictionary definitions for esthetics

aesthetic

sometimes US esthetic

/ (iːsˈθɛtɪk, ɪs-) /

adjective Also: aesthetical, sometimes US esthetical

connected with aesthetics or its principles

relating to pure beauty rather than to other considerations
artistic or relating to good tastean aesthetic consideration

noun

a principle of taste or style adopted by a particular person, group, or culturethe Bauhaus aesthetic of functional modernity

Derived Forms

aesthetically or sometimes US esthetically, adverb

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

esthetics

noun (used with a singular verb)

Nearby words

Definition for esthetics (2 of 2)

aesthetic

or es·thet·ic

adjective

noun

Origin of aesthetic

SYNONYMS FOR aesthetic

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for esthetics

British Dictionary definitions for esthetics

aesthetic

sometimes US esthetic

adjective Also: aesthetical, sometimes US esthetical

noun

Derived Forms

Medicine definitions for esthetics (1 of 2)

esthetics

n.

Medicine definitions for esthetics (2 of 2)

aesthetic

adj.