cosmetic

1 of 2

adjective

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 2

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• decorative
• ornamental

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

Adjective

The 28-year-old reportedly traveled with her sister Kiera Barnes, and the pair planned to get cosmetic procedures together at Avana Plastic Surgery. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 17 June 2025

Alternatively, leaning into cosmetic versus competitive enhancement can alleviate worries about unfairness. —Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Noun

Among the sponsors that now back the PLL are Lexus, U.S. Bank, Capital One, Gatorade, Whirlpool and Rebel Bourbon, while the WLL boasts a title sponsor in the cosmetics giant Maybelline New York. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 June 2025

There are a good number of people who don't know that animals are tested for their cosmetics. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

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

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