cosmetic

play

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 as

a :correcting defects especially of the face

cosmetic surgery

b :decorative, ornamental

c :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

Some of the changes were more symbolic than cosmetic.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Trump Official Praises Oval Office Makeover, Blames Obama for Wallpaper Stains," 23 Aug. 2017
The industry pro is a master of both effortless-looking and bold beauty choices, and knows how to give his clients the gift of cosmetic confidence.

— jennifer mulrow, Glamour, "Your Favorite Celebrity Makeup Artist Has an App, and I Followed His 3 Best Tutorials," 21 Aug. 2017
A new exhibit at Yale University Art Gallery — 130 pieces in the museum's collection of ancient glass — is a lovely array of jewelry, cups, bowls, pitchers, flasks, bottles, cosmetic vials and jars from the ancient world.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Ancient Glass Exhibit At Yale University Art Gallery," 7 Aug. 2017
Guster said the 2,700-square-foot building won't require any construction, only cosmetic renovations like paint.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Eric Guster buys office across from Bessemer Courthouse to open firm branch," 3 Aug. 2017
Double-eyelid surgery, or Asian blepharoplasty, all the rage in Seoul, is a cosmetic operation that reshapes the skin around the eye.

— Longreads, "My Mongolian Spot," 1 Aug. 2017
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

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

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First Known Use: 1638

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cosmetic Synonyms

Synonyms

adorning, beautifying, decorative, embellishing, ornamental

Antonyms

functional, utilitarian

Related Words

alluring, appealing, attractive, charming, delightful, glamorous (also glamourous), pleasing, prepossessing; beauteous, beautiful, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], comely, fair, gorgeous, handsome, lovely, pretty, stunning; detailed, elaborate, fancy, ornate

cosmetic

noun

Definition of cosmetic

: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

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

Stowaway Cosmetics: Get 40% off of the entire site and free shipping on orders over $49 from August 28-September 5 with Glamour's exclusive promo code, GLAMOUR40.

— erin reimel, Glamour, "The Best Labor Day Beauty Sales for 2017," 25 Aug. 2017
On Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. the Indie Beauty Expo trade show’s Shop Indie event will offer beauty lovers new products from more than 200 cosmetics, skin care, hair care, nail care, ingestibles, fragrance and beauty device companies.

— alison s. cohn, New York Times, "Savor the Last of Summer With a Little Shopping," 16 Aug. 2017
The cosmetics playground known as Lush is an international bath and beauty company.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Cosmetic mega god LUSH bucks big store trend, expands Louisville location," 11 Aug. 2017
And now, people are apparently claiming that another HGTV host, Drew Scott, is leaving Property Brothers, also for a cosmetics line with his fiancée, Linda Phan.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "'Property Brother' Drew Scott Speaks Out About Rumors He's Leaving HGTV," 20 July 2017
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
Other notable taxable items: cosmetics, jewelry, sunglasses and eyeglasses, watches, hearing protectors, helmets, band instruments and wetsuits.

— leada gore, AL.com, "You can buy diapers tax free in Alabama this weekend," 19 July 2017
Learn more about the hottest cosmetics, skin care and other beauty products.

— michelle jenkins, idahostatesman, "Movie night supports clean water project," 17 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

First Known Use of cosmetic

1650

COSMETIC Defined for English Language Learners

cosmetic

play

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

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

—

cosmetically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about cosmetic

See words that rhyme with cosmetic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cosmetic Spanish Central: Translation of cosmetic Nglish: Translation of cosmetic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cosmetic for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cosmetic

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cosmetic Synonyms

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cosmetic

Definition of cosmetic

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COSMETIC Defined for English Language Learners

cosmetic

Definition of cosmetic for English Language Learners

cosmetic

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cosmetic

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Medical Dictionary

cosmetic

medical Definition of cosmetic

cosmetic

medical Definition of cosmetic

cosmetically

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