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

Supermarkets' strict cosmetic rules mean "one tiny little hole can render the plant useless", he said, but some have temporarily loosened the rules.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Though he still makes use of cosmetic procedures, he prefers to leave the smile lines around his eyes intact, taking the advice he often gives to his patients.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Some in Hollywood described AI use as the new cosmetic surgery, where everyone knows it is happening, but few will admit to it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

Both series meet a cultural moment many middle-aged women would call miraculous, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic corporations would describe as profitable.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 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

While cosmetics sales rose 6.3% in the first half of 2026 from a year earlier—far outpacing China’s overall retail sales growth of 1.3%—gains are increasingly concentrated among a handful of companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The Chinese cosmetics company plans to roll out two Proya skincare collections at 400 Ulta stores and its e-commerce platform in November.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

She also founded cosmetics company Rare Beauty, in 2020, which is closely associated with her name and image.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

A factory producing conventional cosmetics or packaged snacks can adapt them for Muslim customers.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

We turned down the dimly lit corridor of cosmetics, and I could barely keep the grin off my face.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Related Words

• corrective
• superficial