cosmetic

1 of 2

adjective

cos·​met·​ic käz-ˈme-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion : beautifying

cosmetic salves

2

: done or made for the sake of appearance: such as

a

: correcting defects especially of the face

cosmetic surgery

b

: decorative, ornamental

c

: not substantive : superficial

cosmetic changes

3

: visually appealing

cosmetically

käz-ˈme-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cosmetic

2 of 2

noun

: something that is cosmetic: such as

a

: a cosmetic preparation for external use

b

cosmetics plural : superficial features

a poem without rhetorical cosmetics

—Guy Davenport

Synonyms

Adjective

• adorning
• beautifying
• decorative
• embellishing
• ornamental

Examples of cosmetic in a Sentence

Adjective

Almond oil is sometimes used in cosmetic products.

medical procedures that are done for cosmetic purposes

The changes were purely cosmetic.

Noun

Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ariana Grande set the record straight about her relationship with cosmetic injectables after jokingly referring to using them at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan 3. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Research Skin Care Products While cosmetic products like tanners and makeup may seem safe because they are applied to the skin and not ingested, some of these products can still be dangerous. —Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

The two biggest category changes year-over-year were groceries, which jumped nearly 13% to $21.5 billion, and cosmetics, which saw a 12.2% rise to $7.7 billion. —Michele Luhn, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025

Buy, Donate, Repeat: The cosmetics heir Leonard Lauder created the model for the headline-grabbing donation that museums dream of today. —Travis Diehl, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek kosmētikos skilled in adornment, from kosmein to arrange, adorn, from kosmos order

First Known Use

Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cosmetic

• cosmetic case
• cosmetic surgery

Kids Definition

cosmetic

1 of 2 noun

cos·​met·​ic käz-ˈmet-ik 

: a preparation (as a cream, lotion, or powder) used to improve a person's appearance

cosmetic

2 of 2 adjective

: intended to improve a person's appearance

Medical Definition

cosmetic

1 of 2 noun

cos·​met·​ic käz-ˈmet-ik 

: a cosmetic preparation for external use

cosmetic

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion

cosmetic salves

2

: correcting defects especially of the face

cosmetic surgery

cosmetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb