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

There was once a time when the idea of flying to another country for a cosmetic procedure would raise eyebrows. —Keydra Manns, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025

Galán echoes this, praising the normalization of cosmetic procedures via Instagram and reality television, while also emphasizing the importance of not losing sight of the internal work required. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

Phthalates also help lotions and other cosmetics stick to and penetrate skin. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 19 Mar. 2025

The drugstore chain offers everyday items including medicine, vitamins, cosmetics and household products, as well as in-house pharmacies. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacramento Bee, 17 Mar. 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

Rhymes for cosmetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic
• hermetic

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