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
c
: not substantive : superficial
cosmetic changes
3
: visually appealing
: 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
Guy DavenportExamples 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
Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Mikayla Nogueira is making her move into color cosmetics.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
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Adjective
The obvious one is allowing a little bit of scientific tampering for therapeutic, but not cosmetic, reasons.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Estee Lauder — The cosmetics maker jumped 6% on better-than-expected fiscal quarter earnings.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Mikayla Nogueira is making her move into color cosmetics.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion
cosmetic salves
2
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
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