cosmetic

American  

[koz-met-ik] / kɒzˈmɛt ɪk /

noun

• cosmetics
  plural

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.

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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

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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

Derived Forms

• cosmeticology
  noun
• anticosmetics
  adjective
• cosmetically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cosmetics
  plural

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

Explanation

Cosmetic refers to how something or someone looks. Visit the cosmetics department of a store if you are looking to buy lipstick, and visit a cosmetic surgeon if you are looking to buy new lips. The word cosmetic has to do with beauty and appearance. Cosmetic surgery makes someone look better, but isn't necessary medically, like heart surgery. A cosmetic change to a building only changes the building’s appearance. Cosmetic often means the same as decorative or ornamental. Also, cosmetics are items used to adorn, especially women, such as nail polish, lipstick, and eyeliner. All uses of cosmetic have to do with what's on the outside, not what's on the inside.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cosmetic cosmetics

A blanket ban on all cosmetic filters for children will also be put in place.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

For cosmetic applications, the company shares rights with Switzerland’s Galderma.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

I’m more interested in a company sitting directly at the intersection of aging, GLP-1 weight loss and cosmetic restoration — and I’m already accumulating shares.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 5, 2026

Eyelid lifts were one of the top five cosmetic surgeries last year; if you hang out in a certain corner of Instagram, you might not be able to escape the term bleph, short for blepharoplasty.

From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026

Gideon would know that he'd been the reason for the cosmetic change.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Last month, Kylie Jenner defended her status as a self-made billionaire for the success of her cosmetics company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

The facilities produce raw materials used to make pharmaceuticals, clothing, cosmetics, detergents, construction materials and military explosives in the UK and Europe.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Israeli settlements mainly export agricultural products, as well as wine, Dead Sea cosmetics and industrial products.

From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026

The list also reaches into the everyday commerce that binds the two economies, including cheese, seafood and cosmetics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

The cosmetics that had seemed superfluous were necessary now, not to improve her but to define her somehow.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• corrective
• superficial