cosmetic

1 of 3

adjective (1)

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 3

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

cosmetical

3 of 3

adjective (2)

cos·​met·​i·​cal

käz-ˈme-ti-kəl

: relating to cosmetics or to physical appearance

cosmetically

käz-ˈme-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cosmetic

Adjective (1)

• decorative
• ornamental

Examples of cosmetic in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

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

Following the immense popularity of Japanese and Korean beauty products, many Chinese cosmetic brands are now looking to go global. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 June 2026

After Persepolis, Satrapi swerved in another direction with Embroideries, which was named after (and partially about) a cosmetic procedure for vaginal tightening. —Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Noun

Any luxury cosmetics shopper knows that the Bluemercury Summer Shopping Party offers some of the best deals of the season. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 June 2026

Between 2019 and 2024, Chinese color cosmetics and skincare brands in Southeast Asia reported compound annual growth rates of 70% and 115% respectively, according to data analytics firm Euromonitor. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

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

Adjective (2)

Greek kosmētikos + English -al

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

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