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
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Construction is just about to start, and Bryant said the build-out is mostly cosmetic for the space since Park Burger was a full-running restaurant before closing in 2024.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
De Kluyver dreamt up three off-kilter looks utilizing Byredo’s assortment of colorful cosmetics.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Much of Mosseri’s questioning from the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mark Lanier, centered on cosmetic filters on Instagram that changed people’s appearance — a topic that Lanier is sure to revisit with Zuckerberg.
—Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Construction is just about to start, and Bryant said the build-out is mostly cosmetic for the space since Park Burger was a full-running restaurant before closing in 2024.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
Your in-room beauty ritual at Palace Merano has been whipped by the team at Piroche, a cosmetics company based right in Merano itself.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
De Kluyver dreamt up three off-kilter looks utilizing Byredo’s assortment of colorful cosmetics.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
