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

The guideline changes, announced Thursday, are largely cosmetic. — BostonGlobe.com, "Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $115m," 28 June 2019 The guideline changes, announced Thursday, are largely cosmetic. — Washington Post, "Facebook enlists plain English to clarify how it makes money," 27 June 2019 The 2018 improvements to both the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 were mostly cosmetic. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Report: Upcoming Microsoft Surface devices may use AMD or Qualcomm chips," 25 June 2019 Will its microtransaction economy be wholly cosmetic? — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Roller Champions hands-on premiere: Ubisoft’s fun, F2P answer to Rocket League," 10 June 2019 In addition, last year Claire’s moved to talc-free cosmetic manufacturing to prevent any further concerns about talc contamination. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al.com, "JoJo Siwa makeup recall alert: Claire’s palette tested positive for asbestos, FDA says," 10 June 2019 Rancho Bernardo Dental Arts offers preventative and cosmetic dental care. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "RB dental office focuses on preventative care," 6 June 2019 But while cosmetic and service updates might be expected when a restaurant renovates, Tempe Public Market Cafe is also undergoing an unexpected change in leadership. — Samantha Incorvaia, azcentral, "Renovated Tempe Public Market Cafe reopening without co-owner and chef Aaron Chamberlin," 6 June 2019 While the first trademark covers all the products, the second Kylie Skin trademark covers rRetail store services featuring skin-care products, skin-care preparation products, cosmetics, cosmetic preparations and gifts. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything We Know About Kylie Jenner's New Skincare Line," 3 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

China’s new campaign to limit online selling is bad news for daigou, a popular practice in which Chinese middlemen buy goods like cosmetics or baby formula abroad and resell them back home. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, "China’s Campaign Against Online Reselling Will Be Ugly for Cosmetics," 1 July 2019 Who better to introduce a new product by the cosmetics giant than this musical behemoth? — Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Lizzo Lands A Cosmetics Campaign With Urban Decay That Celebrates Her Uniqueness," 1 July 2019 Officials said the young women and possibly other suspects are responsible for cosmetics-store burglaries in Novato and the Bay Area. — Kim Fu, The Mercury News, "Teens arrested in Marin burglary may be linked to Bay Area thefts," 29 June 2019 An agent used in a variety of cosmetics products could increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, according to a study published yesterday. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What is Triclosan? Study Links Common Ingredient in Toothpastes and Soaps With Osteoporosis," 27 June 2019 All of the products and cosmetics the shop has are organic, and free of GMO, pesticides and gluten. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pure Golden Botanicals, a new CBD store, opens in West Allis," 26 June 2019 In a country where cleanliness and neat packaging have long been considered good service, almost everything, from single bananas to individual pieces of vegetables, pastries, pens and cosmetics is sold plastic-wrapped. — Time, "Japan, a Big Plastic User, Fights Waste Ahead of the G-20 Summit," 26 June 2019 Take off the day in a few swipes with this powerful, yet gentle cosmetics remover that earned the top spot in our rigorous Lab tests. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "GH Seal Spotlight: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover," 24 June 2019 Avon, a beauty and cosmetics company, became the first such firm to sponsor a women’s professional football club, after agreeing to an exclusive deal with Liverpool Ladies FC. — M.s., The Economist, "Women’s football is flourishing, on the pitch and off it," 24 June 2019

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.