aesthetic
ehs-THEH-tihk
Aesthetic (adj) means relating to beauty, art, or how something looks and feels visually. Example: “The architect made a few aesthetic changes to give the building a softer look.”
adj
1
Relating to beauty, art, or how something looks and feels visually.
"The architect made a few aesthetic changes to give the building a softer look."
"The renovation focused on aesthetic improvements like new tiling and lighting."
"She has a strong aesthetic sense when it comes to interior design."
noun
1
The overall visual style or artistic identity of something.
"The cafe has a warm, rustic aesthetic with wooden tables and hanging plants."
"The brand built its whole aesthetic around minimalism and pastel colours."
"His photography has a distinctly gritty, urban aesthetic."
How to use aesthetic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with beauty and visual style — either as a describing word (aesthetic value) or a noun (a particular look/vibe).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
aesthetic appeal
aesthetic sense
pleasing aesthetic
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Word forms
- Plural
- aesthetics
- Comparative
- more aesthetic
- Superlative
- most aesthetic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The architect made a few _____ changes to give the building a softer look.
Etymology
From Greek aisthētikos, "of sense perception," via German Ästhetik or French esthétique — the same root that gives us "anaesthetic" (removing sensation).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
inaesthetic
Related words
Rhymes for aesthetic
See all rhymes for aesthetic →Frequently asked questions
What does “aesthetic” mean?
The word “aesthetic” means relating to beauty, art, or how something looks and feels visually. In plain terms, to do with beauty and visual style — either as a describing word (aesthetic value) or a noun (a particular look/vibe).
How do you pronounce “aesthetic”?
“Aesthetic” is pronounced ehs-THEH-tihk (/ɛsˈθɛ.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “aesthetic” in a sentence?
Here is “aesthetic” used in a sentence: “The renovation focused on aesthetic improvements like new tiling and lighting.”
What part of speech is “aesthetic”?
Depending on how it is used, “aesthetic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “aesthetic” come from?
The word “aesthetic” comes from French. From Greek aisthētikos, "of sense perception," via German Ästhetik or French esthétique — the same root that gives us "anaesthetic" (removing sensation).
Is “aesthetic” a common word?
“Aesthetic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “aesthetic” have?
“Aesthetic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to beauty, art, or how something looks and feels visually.
What is the difference between aesthetic and aesthetics?
Aesthetic is an adjective ("aesthetic appeal") and a noun for a particular visual style ("a minimalist aesthetic"). Aesthetics, with the s, is the branch of philosophy that studies beauty and taste, and it is treated as a singular subject.
Is it spelled aesthetic or esthetic?
Both are correct. Aesthetic is the standard spelling in British English and the most common form worldwide, while esthetic is an accepted American variant seen mainly in US medical and dental contexts. Publications generally choose one form and stay consistent.
What is the difference between aesthetic and artistic?
Artistic describes skill in, or a connection with, making art, while aesthetic relates to beauty and how something looks and feels visually, whether or not art is involved. A well-designed spreadsheet can have aesthetic appeal without being artistic.
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