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

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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

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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

Sheyn said this might be driven by the concentration of medspas in California, which often position cosmetic interventions as services rather than procedures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Although reducing visible belly fat may appeal to patients for cosmetic reasons, researchers emphasize that the potential medical benefits could be more important.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

For the record, Guy is a physically fit woman in her 60s who has not undergone cosmetic surgery, whom many women would kill to look like.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

"It's not just a cosmetic operation where you have body confidence benefits, you might also be able to do activities and exercise more. There's also the potential impact on back and neck issues," says Hawkins.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

When the results came up, there was a lot to sift through — everything from movies and TV shows to role-playing games, underground metal, and gothic cosmetic companies.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

But some states will feel the pain of Canada's retaliation more than others, with tariffs levied on C$28bn worth of US goods from steel to furniture, cosmetics and toilet paper, as of 8 September.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

Companies are also protecting profit margins through productivity measures, and leaning on tariff refunds to weather rising costs, according to Lauren Lieberman, an equity research analyst at Barclays covering cosmetics, beverages and personal-care companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Our first attempt to explore how consumer product companies exploit class foundered when a major cosmetics company, which initially agreed to let a reporter inside their marketing department, got cold feet.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

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Related Words

• corrective
• superficial

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