cosmetic

American  

[koz-met-ik] / kɒzˈmɛt ɪk /

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 British  

/ 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

• 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

“Some of those fixed dramatic horizontal lines do become worse because people are literally spending hours on their phone and looking down,” said Dr. Melanie Palm, a cosmetic dermatologist based in Solana Beach, Calif.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"Some of the SPF testing, I feel, has become a bit more of a marketing exercise than a real reflection of efficacy," cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong told the BBC last year.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

"Meanwhile, various cosmetic products, which are renowned for their quality and affordable prices, can be imported from the DPRK," he added, using the initials of the North's official name.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

He was steadfast that all he was doing was helping, that the objections were cosmetic, and overblown.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Her lips were darker than her skin, wine-stained, blueberry-dyed, so her face had a cosmetic look—as though she had applied a very dark lipstick neatly and blotted away its shine on a scrap of newspaper.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• corrective
• superficial