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
c
: not substantive : superficial
cosmetic changes
3
: visually appealing
: 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
Guy Davenport
Synonyms
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 WebDeidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Shark Tank investor has referenced her cosmetic procedures with humor before, and in a TikTok post shared on April 9, the 75-year-old made another candid quip about her past nips and tucks.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill specifically would bar anyone under the age of 13 from buying any over-the counter cosmetic product that contains Vitamin A and its derivatives or an alpha hydroxy acid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
The Digital Deluxe Edition of Diablo IV is also on sale for $44.99 (half off) and comes with extra cosmetic items, as well as the Season 1 Battle Pass.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
The cosmetic implications range from mild discoloration to yellow and brown stains and obvious pits in the teeth.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
This process ensures the iPad is fully functional with any minor cosmetic imperfections addressed.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Estée Lauder launched its cosmetic brand Clinique on the Amazon Premium Beauty store earlier this week.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
More luxurious and less expensive Despite some minor outside cosmetic changes, the new 2024 Model 3 looks similar to the previous model, which has been mostly unchanged since it was introduced in 2017.
—Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Jeannette Neumann, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The chemicals are found in thousands of common products, including food packaging, adhesives, carpeting, clothing, furniture, varnish, cleaning products, shampoo and cosmetics.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
This company supplies extracts that are used in cosmetics, hair care products, and even certain foods!
—Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Arnault is head of LVMH, a luxury fashion and cosmetics conglomerate in France.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duchess of Sussex appears to be diving into the beauty business, from skincare to cosmetics to scents.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Every feature is meticulously considered, from the elegant Dior spa to the state-of-the-art rooms complete with fridges reserved for cosmetics.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The cosmetics and fragrance customer today has many choices and brands to choose from.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These communities discuss everything from celebrity gossip to cosmetics advice to Bernese Mountain dogs.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The Clostridium botulinum bacteria is an ingredient in Botox and similar cosmetic substances, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Shark Tank investor has referenced her cosmetic procedures with humor before, and in a TikTok post shared on April 9, the 75-year-old made another candid quip about her past nips and tucks.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill specifically would bar anyone under the age of 13 from buying any over-the counter cosmetic product that contains Vitamin A and its derivatives or an alpha hydroxy acid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
The Digital Deluxe Edition of Diablo IV is also on sale for $44.99 (half off) and comes with extra cosmetic items, as well as the Season 1 Battle Pass.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
The cosmetic implications range from mild discoloration to yellow and brown stains and obvious pits in the teeth.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
This process ensures the iPad is fully functional with any minor cosmetic imperfections addressed.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Estée Lauder launched its cosmetic brand Clinique on the Amazon Premium Beauty store earlier this week.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
More luxurious and less expensive Despite some minor outside cosmetic changes, the new 2024 Model 3 looks similar to the previous model, which has been mostly unchanged since it was introduced in 2017.
—Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Singer and actress Selena Gomez, for example, recently hired advisers to weigh offers for her cosmetics company, Rare Beauty, Bloomberg News reported.
—Jeannette Neumann, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The chemicals are found in thousands of common products, including food packaging, adhesives, carpeting, clothing, furniture, varnish, cleaning products, shampoo and cosmetics.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
This company supplies extracts that are used in cosmetics, hair care products, and even certain foods!
—Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Arnault is head of LVMH, a luxury fashion and cosmetics conglomerate in France.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duchess of Sussex appears to be diving into the beauty business, from skincare to cosmetics to scents.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Every feature is meticulously considered, from the elegant Dior spa to the state-of-the-art rooms complete with fridges reserved for cosmetics.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The cosmetics and fragrance customer today has many choices and brands to choose from.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These communities discuss everything from celebrity gossip to cosmetics advice to Bernese Mountain dogs.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cosmetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing cosmetic
Dictionary Entries Near cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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 adjective1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion
cosmetic salves
2
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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