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

Most of the beauty industry has traditionally treated hair as a cosmetic fibre. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Gone are the days of getting cosmetic procedures done quietly behind closed doors. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Noun

Their products, supplements and cleaning supplies and cosmetics, inspired near-synonymous claims about health, beauty, and happiness. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

Bavarian police said in May that men operating around the city’s main railway station allegedly approached girls from unstable or vulnerable backgrounds, initially offering them attention, clothing or cosmetics. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 July 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