cosmetic

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

Examples of cosmetic in a Sentence

Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any luxury cosmetics shopper knows that the Bluemercury Summer Shopping Party offers some of the best deals of the season. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 June 2026

Between 2019 and 2024, Chinese color cosmetics and skincare brands in Southeast Asia reported compound annual growth rates of 70% and 115% respectively, according to data analytics firm Euromonitor. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 June 2026

And the detachable coin purse offers additional organization for cosmetics or other small items. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

The credit card purchases, most of which were itemized on city records as office supplies, included gifts and decorations for family birthday parties, women’s, men’s and children’s clothing; $19,000 in groceries, children’s toys, cosmetics, a bed linens, table cloths and home decorations. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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