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 DavenportSynonyms
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 WebBeth Sobol, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
Additionally, some mothers might consider consulting with a plastic surgeon or cosmetic specialist like Dr. Carlos Mata to address concerns with their physical appearance.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
In addition to jams and other edible treats, Meghan is pursuing trademarks for exclusive rights to sell cosmetic products, home décor, stationery, linens, small kitchen appliances, condiments, yoga equipment, gardening gear, pet accessories and more under the American Riviera Orchard name.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Smile Hair Clinic offers a variety of high-quality hair transplant choices in Turkey in addition to performing a wide range of other medical and cosmetic operations.
—Chiara Accardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
They may have been meant as food for the afterlife, or they could have been used for cosmetic purposes.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
The Clostridium botulinum bacteria is an ingredient in Botox and similar cosmetic substances, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Shark Tank investor has referenced her cosmetic procedures with humor before, and in a TikTok post shared on April 9, the 75-year-old made another candid quip about her past nips and tucks.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill specifically would bar anyone under the age of 13 from buying any over-the counter cosmetic product that contains Vitamin A and its derivatives or an alpha hydroxy acid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Jeannette Neumann, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The chemicals are found in thousands of common products, including food packaging, adhesives, carpeting, clothing, furniture, varnish, cleaning products, shampoo and cosmetics.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
This company supplies extracts that are used in cosmetics, hair care products, and even certain foods!
—Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Arnault is head of LVMH, a luxury fashion and cosmetics conglomerate in France.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duchess of Sussex appears to be diving into the beauty business, from skincare to cosmetics to scents.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Every feature is meticulously considered, from the elegant Dior spa to the state-of-the-art rooms complete with fridges reserved for cosmetics.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The cosmetics and fragrance customer today has many choices and brands to choose from.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These communities discuss everything from celebrity gossip to cosmetics advice to Bernese Mountain dogs.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Prior to getting on the phone with me, cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos looked at both labels and may have zeroed in on the reason: The mask contains Quaternium-26, a water-soluble silicone that softens and detangles hair, while the conditioner does not.
—Beth Sobol, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
Additionally, some mothers might consider consulting with a plastic surgeon or cosmetic specialist like Dr. Carlos Mata to address concerns with their physical appearance.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
In addition to jams and other edible treats, Meghan is pursuing trademarks for exclusive rights to sell cosmetic products, home décor, stationery, linens, small kitchen appliances, condiments, yoga equipment, gardening gear, pet accessories and more under the American Riviera Orchard name.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Smile Hair Clinic offers a variety of high-quality hair transplant choices in Turkey in addition to performing a wide range of other medical and cosmetic operations.
—Chiara Accardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
They may have been meant as food for the afterlife, or they could have been used for cosmetic purposes.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
The Clostridium botulinum bacteria is an ingredient in Botox and similar cosmetic substances, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The Shark Tank investor has referenced her cosmetic procedures with humor before, and in a TikTok post shared on April 9, the 75-year-old made another candid quip about her past nips and tucks.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill specifically would bar anyone under the age of 13 from buying any over-the counter cosmetic product that contains Vitamin A and its derivatives or an alpha hydroxy acid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Singer and actress Selena Gomez, for example, recently hired advisers to weigh offers for her cosmetics company, Rare Beauty, Bloomberg News reported.
—Jeannette Neumann, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The chemicals are found in thousands of common products, including food packaging, adhesives, carpeting, clothing, furniture, varnish, cleaning products, shampoo and cosmetics.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
This company supplies extracts that are used in cosmetics, hair care products, and even certain foods!
—Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Arnault is head of LVMH, a luxury fashion and cosmetics conglomerate in France.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024
The Duchess of Sussex appears to be diving into the beauty business, from skincare to cosmetics to scents.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Every feature is meticulously considered, from the elegant Dior spa to the state-of-the-art rooms complete with fridges reserved for cosmetics.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The cosmetics and fragrance customer today has many choices and brands to choose from.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These communities discuss everything from celebrity gossip to cosmetics advice to Bernese Mountain dogs.
—Mike Isaac, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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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