cosmetic

1 of 2

adjective

cos·​met·​ic käz-ˈme-tik How to pronounce cosmetic (audio)
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
c
: not substantive : superficial
cosmetic changes
3
: visually appealing
cosmetically 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 cosmeticsGuy Davenport

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
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Adjective
Olivia Heller/The Hustle And about 86% of those dermatologists reported their patients were referencing video-conferencing as a reason for their new cosmetic concerns. thehustle.co, 1 Nov. 2024 Many of the boot’s biggest champions on social media tout not just its cosmetic features—its hefty stacked heel, its blunt, squared toe—but its history. Sam Reed, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Estee Lauder — Shares tumbled 21% after the luxury cosmetics titan pulled its forecast for annual financial performance . Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 Next, Lauder, who is the granddaughter of celebrated cosmetics entrepreneur Estée Lauder, has her sights on the South. Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cosmetic 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmetic was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near cosmetic

Cite this Entry

“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cosmetic

1 of 2 noun
cos·​met·​ic käz-ˈmet-ik How to pronounce cosmetic (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce cosmetic (audio)
: 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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on cosmetic

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