cosmetic

adjective

cos·met·ic | \ käz-ˈme-tik

Definition of cosmetic

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

cosmetic

noun

Definition of cosmetic (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

Other Words from cosmetic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cosmetic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for cosmetic

Synonyms: Adjective

adorning, beautifying, decorative, embellishing, ornamental

Antonyms: Adjective

functional, utilitarian

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

Minutes later, the fish was knocked out and getting an eyelift, a procedure that has become standard practice in Mr. Ng’s job as one of the premier cosmetic surgeons for Asian arowana fish here in Singapore. — Amy Qin, New York Times, "Cosmetic Surgery for a Pet Fish? In Asia, This One Is King of the Tank," 27 Mar. 2018 Everything that happens is either shallow and cosmetic, or a huge, overplayed story beat that gets blown out of proportion. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "The Walking Dead’s fresh start looks like a big step back," 12 Nov. 2018 But according to cosmetic chemist Stephen Alain Ko, powdered sunscreen is far from a new development. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "What Is Powdered Sunscreen? Your Guide to the Trendy New Sun-Care Product," 8 Apr. 2019 The anti-wrinkle treatment, approved for cosmetic use in 2002, helped create an $8 billion-plus global market for beauty-enhancing drugs. — Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, "Botox Rivals Create New Wrinkles for Allergan," 8 Apr. 2019 Her formulas incorporate the latest cosmetic technologies and are crafted with precision and care. — Teen Vogue, "Pat McGrath Lab’s Releases 17 New Bold Eyeshadows," 28 Mar. 2019 And that's where cosmetic dentists Dr. Michael Apa DDS and Dr. Victoria Veytsman DSS come in. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "What to Consider Before Getting Veneers on Your Teeth," 28 Feb. 2019 Artists fear that modifications to the decree will be cosmetic and that its totalitarian spirit will prevail, said Abel Gónzalez, the Cuban curator who wrote the protest letter signed by 250 artists. — Santiago Pérez, WSJ, "‘Absolute Control’: Cuba Steps Up Artistic Censorship," 25 Dec. 2018 In other cases owners carried out repairs that were purely cosmetic — masking damage that is likely to be revealed in the next quake. — Fox News, "Damaged buildings, graft haunt Mexico City year after quake," 18 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In other words, lead seemed like an ideal substance for cosmetics. — Serah-marie Mcmahon, Teen Vogue, "This New Book Is All About the Dark (And Sometimes Bloody) History of Fashion," 12 Apr. 2019 And research done by the FDA from 2009-2010 likewise found no asbestos in samples both from talc suppliers nor from talc-containing cosmetics purchased in retail stores. — Tara C. Smith, SELF, "How Worried Do You Need to Be About Asbestos in Baby Powder and Other Talc Products?," 31 Jan. 2019 There's no place like the Internet for surprisingly in-depth reviews for pretty much any kind of product, from cosmetics to sneakers. — Halie Lesavage, Glamour, "Why Everyone You Know Is Buying This $130 Amazon Coat," 18 Jan. 2019 The feature is currently being tested in Thailand, where a community of independent sellers have recently taken to Facebook Live to sell a variety of products, from cosmetics to handbags and other fashion items. — Natt Garun, The Verge, "Facebook is testing a shopping mode for live-streamers," 6 Dec. 2018 In recent years, Kardashian has diversified her business portfolio to include KKW Beauty (a range of color cosmetics), KKW Fragrances, Kids Supply (children's clothing line), and an app for mobile devices. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian Just Released $90 Sunglasses and They’re Good," 5 Apr. 2019 The move was unexpected and comes shortly after Mr. Becht resigned in November as chairman of cosmetics company Coty Inc., one of JAB’s largest investments, amid weak sales and a struggle to integrate dozens of Procter & Gamble Co. beauty brands. — Saabira Chaudhuri, WSJ, "Chairman of Company Behind Krispy Kreme, Dr Pepper Resigns," 14 Jan. 2019 Epic does dangle a carrot for its Fortnite players to turn 2FA on in the form of free, exclusive in-game cosmetics, but the company doesn't require 2FA to log in to any of its games. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Fortnite’s paid outfits, dances have made it a target for lucrative account theft," 20 Dec. 2018 And the actress/singer/dancer/mogul also launched a capsule collection of cosmetics with Inglot. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Jennifer Lopez Is Launching a Skin Care Line," 13 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cosmetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.