cosmetic

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adjective cos·met·ic \käz-ˈme-tik\

Definition of cosmetic

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 asa : correcting defects especially of the face cosmetic surgeryb : decorative, ornamentalc : not substantive : superficial cosmetic changes
3 : visually appealing

cosmetically

play \käz-ˈme-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See cosmetic defined for English-language learners

Examples of cosmetic in a Sentence

Almond oil is sometimes used in cosmetic products.
medical procedures that are done for cosmetic purposes
The changes were purely cosmetic.

Recent Examples of cosmetic from the Web

The House’s health-care bill, briefly left for dead on account of its inhumanity, was resurrected like Frankenstein’s monster and given enough cosmetic tweaks to get to 217 votes.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The Long, Winding Road to Republicans’ Failure on Obamacare," 18 July 2017
According to police reports, Lowry left Target, 313 E. Townline Road, without paying for $43.99 worth of cosmetic items.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Vernon Hills police: Man who hit dog walker charged with battery," 17 July 2017
To calm your concerns a little, the FDA does restrain the cosmetic industry from using certain ingredients.

— dr. manny alvarez, Fox News, "Is your shampoo safe? Avoid these harmful ingredients," 14 July 2017
In the past, gender reassignment surgery has often been banned from coverage — by both private insurance and government programs — because it was viewed as experimental or cosmetic.

— katy steinmetz, Time, "House Rejects Ban on Transition-Related Health Coverage for Transgender Troops," 13 July 2017
That’s cosmetic damage, but their offspring are in the ground eating roots and they should be controlled.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Garden pests come in all shapes and sizes," 12 July 2017
Typical cosmetic glitters are PET plastic-based and do not break down.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Forecastle's great glitter conundrum — go glam and save the planet?," 11 July 2017
Currently, cosmetic manufacturers have no legal obligation to report health problems from their products to the FDA.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "The Hidden Dangers of Makeup and Shampoo," 26 June 2017
The property was in good condition when Brown and West bought it in October 2015, only needing cosmetic changes and an electrical update to replace old knob-and-tube wiring.

— susan langenhennig, NOLA.com, "Stately Bywater home exudes easy-going elegance," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cosmetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cosmetic

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1638

See Words from the same year

cosmetic

noun cos·met·ic

Definition of cosmetic

: something that is cosmetic: such asa : a cosmetic preparation for external useb cosmetics plural : superficial features a poem without rhetorical cosmetics — Guy Davenport

See cosmetic defined for English-language learners

See cosmetic defined for kids

Examples of cosmetic in a Sentence

Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.

Recent Examples of cosmetic from the Web

The Sephora cosmetics company has two facilities along the Silver Line, in Riverside and along Chelsea Road in Perryman — Harford County landed XPO Logistics in the fall of 2016.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford Transit's Silver Line helps connect residents with jobs in Perryman, Riverside," 20 July 2017
Seaweed is used in everything from fertilizer and cosmetics to medicine, animal feed and, potentially, biofuel.

— bethany goodrich, Alaska Dispatch News, "Farming Alaska’s seas," 8 July 2017
Participating companies included Stila Cosmetics, Salem Media Group and Coldwell Banker.

— jeff landa, Glendale News-Press, "New Glendale team will take proactive stance on business development," 5 July 2017
In a bold gesture, his exhibit includes a low, scarred wooden table on which the artist has heaped blocks of shea butter, an extract from the nut of the African shea tree that is widely used in lotions and cosmetics.

— jim higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Artist Rashid Johnson's sculpted grids contain the anxieties that rattle him," 28 June 2017
Indeed, the popularity of probiotics has grown so much in recent years that manufacturers have even added the microorganisms to cosmetics and mattresses.

— ferris jabr, Scientific American, "Do Probiotics Really Work?," 26 June 2017
The fund is encouraging Nestle to sell its stake in cosmetics maker L’Oreal SA, increase leverage for share buybacks and adopt a formal profitability target, among other suggestions.

— scott deveau, Bloomberg.com, "Dan Loeb Tries Playing Nice for His $3.5 Billion Nestle Bet," 26 June 2017
The retreat at the lakeside estate of the late cosmetics magnate Elizabeth Arden will be dedicated this weekend after an overhaul that included accessibility upgrades.

— Washington Post, "Soldier who lost 4 limbs opening retreat to help others," 22 June 2017
ARS researchers say methyl benzoate has been approved by FDA for use in food and cosmetics, but the Centers for Disease Control reports caution should be exercised to avoid inhalation, eye contamination and skin contact.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Let new roses bloom; raised beds sometimes need an adjustment," 21 June 2017

First Known Use of cosmetic

1650

COSMETIC Defined for English Language Learners

cosmetic

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adjective

Definition of cosmetic for English Language Learners

: used or done in order to improve a person's appearance
: done in order to make something look better
: not important or meaningful

cosmetic

noun

Definition of cosmetic for English Language Learners

: a substance (such as a cream, lotion, or powder) that you put on your face or body to improve your appearance

COSMETIC Defined for Kids

cosmetic

play

noun cos·met·ic \käz-ˈmet-ik\

Definition of cosmetic for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

cosmetic

play

noun cos·met·ic \käz-ˈmet-ik\

Medical Definition of cosmetic

: a cosmetic preparation for external use

cosmetic

adjective cos·met·ic

Medical Definition of cosmetic

1: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion cosmetic salves
2: correcting defects especially of the face cosmetic surgery