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 of cosmetic

Adjective

• decorative
• 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

And similar to how scientists have turned insulin into a diabetes medication, other peptides have been synthesized and turned into medications that require prescriptions, over-the-counter supplements or cosmetic products. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

With the business running more or less on autopilot, the game’s most interesting decisions become primarily cosmetic. —ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026

Noun

Warsh was a member of the Fed's governing board from 2006 to 2011, and is married to Jane Lauder, the daughter of billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, a major Republican donor. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

The disclosures also included the holdings of Warsh’s wife, Jane Lauder, the granddaughter of cosmetics billionaire Estée Lauder, who sits on the board of The Estée Lauder Companies. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026

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