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 Davenport
Synonyms
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 WebStack Commerce, Popular Science, 29 Nov. 2023
Like many cosmetic procedures, microblading has a somewhat visible recovery period.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2023
But Cooper’s performance is its own kind of marvel, too rich to be reduced to the single cosmetic detail that has caused such outsize controversy.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Meet Our Experts Erica Taylor is a L’Oreal Paris League of Experts makeup artist with over 25 years of experience in the cosmetic industry.
—Sara Gaynes Levy, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Congressional investigators found Santos also used campaign funds for spa services and cosmetic procedures.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
And on October 8 of this year, California’s governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill updating the state’s Health and Safety Code to ban cosmetic products that contain ingredients including formaldehyde, methylene glycol and a range of parabens and phthalates.
—Syris Valentine, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
But insurers have been reluctant to pay for the medications, viewing them as cosmetic rather than medical treatments.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 11 Nov. 2023
Any plans to expand into other cosmetic categories?
—Angela Lei, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023
This has recently led some state and federal policymakers to propose or adopt regulations that would ban harmful chemicals—including sources of formaldehyde found in some straighteners—from cosmetics.
—Syris Valentine, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
But with so many makeup brands operating in both the EU and North America offering shimmery cosmetics, what will these new regulations mean for the future US beauty market?
—Kayla Greaves, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
These substances may be found in plastics, cosmetics, personal care items, and pesticides.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023
And until last year, when Congress passed a bill giving it new powers, the FDA had limited regulatory authority over the cosmetics industry, which includes companies that make hair products.
—Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2023
Western brands like cosmetics company Estee Lauder and apparel manufacturer Canada Goose have cut sales forecasts for the year in part due to sluggish demand in China.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
No one has profited more from the concept of glam than Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the siblings and the creator of a cosmetics empire that has been valued at over $1 billion.
—Rory Satran, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023
Billionaire Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics empire, will pull out from funding the University of Pennsylvania over concerns with its response to antisemitism after the deadly Hamas terror attack against Israel.
—Gabe Kaminsky, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023
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Adjective
While the MacBook Air has a Grade B rating, encompassing minor cosmetic blemishes, this refurbished MacBook Air offers significant cost savings and aligns with environmentally conscious choices.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 29 Nov. 2023
Like many cosmetic procedures, microblading has a somewhat visible recovery period.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2023
But Cooper’s performance is its own kind of marvel, too rich to be reduced to the single cosmetic detail that has caused such outsize controversy.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Meet Our Experts Erica Taylor is a L’Oreal Paris League of Experts makeup artist with over 25 years of experience in the cosmetic industry.
—Sara Gaynes Levy, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Congressional investigators found Santos also used campaign funds for spa services and cosmetic procedures.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
And on October 8 of this year, California’s governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill updating the state’s Health and Safety Code to ban cosmetic products that contain ingredients including formaldehyde, methylene glycol and a range of parabens and phthalates.
—Syris Valentine, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
But insurers have been reluctant to pay for the medications, viewing them as cosmetic rather than medical treatments.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 11 Nov. 2023
Any plans to expand into other cosmetic categories?
—Angela Lei, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
Since 2019, she’s been working to amplify her roots by collaborating with other Indigenous people on her cosmetics brand, Prados Beauty.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023
This has recently led some state and federal policymakers to propose or adopt regulations that would ban harmful chemicals—including sources of formaldehyde found in some straighteners—from cosmetics.
—Syris Valentine, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
But with so many makeup brands operating in both the EU and North America offering shimmery cosmetics, what will these new regulations mean for the future US beauty market?
—Kayla Greaves, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
These substances may be found in plastics, cosmetics, personal care items, and pesticides.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023
And until last year, when Congress passed a bill giving it new powers, the FDA had limited regulatory authority over the cosmetics industry, which includes companies that make hair products.
—Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2023
Western brands like cosmetics company Estee Lauder and apparel manufacturer Canada Goose have cut sales forecasts for the year in part due to sluggish demand in China.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
No one has profited more from the concept of glam than Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the siblings and the creator of a cosmetics empire that has been valued at over $1 billion.
—Rory Satran, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023
Billionaire Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics empire, will pull out from funding the University of Pennsylvania over concerns with its response to antisemitism after the deadly Hamas terror attack against Israel.
—Gabe Kaminsky, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cosmetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing cosmetic
Dictionary Entries Near cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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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 adjective1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion
cosmetic salves
2
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
More from Merriam-Webster on cosmetic
Nglish: Translation of cosmetic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cosmetic for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cosmetic
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