adj
Uncommon
cosmetic
koz-MEH-tihk
Cosmetic (adj) means relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face. Example: “She had cosmetic surgery to reshape her nose.”
adj
1
Relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face.
"She had cosmetic surgery to reshape her nose."
"The clinic offers cosmetic treatments such as skin peels and facial masks."
"Cosmetic dentistry can whiten teeth and straighten a crooked smile."
2
Affecting only surface appearance rather than anything substantial.
"The company's changes were purely cosmetic — the underlying problems remained."
"Painting the walls was a cosmetic fix that did not stop the damp."
"The new logo is merely cosmetic; the service itself hasn't improved."
noun
1
A product used to enhance or beautify skin, such as lipstick or foundation.
"Her makeup bag was full of half-used cosmetics."
"She bought some cosmetics, including a lipstick, before the party."
"Many cosmetics are tested to check that they are safe for sensitive skin."
How to use cosmetic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with beauty products, or describing a fix that only changes appearances, not substance.
Common mistake
"Cosmetic" (surface-level) is often used critically, as in "a cosmetic change," meaning nothing real actually improved.
Common pairings
cosmetic surgery
cosmetic change
purely cosmetic
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Word forms
- Plural
- cosmetics
- Comparative
- more cosmetic
- Superlative
- most cosmetic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had _____ surgery to reshape her nose.
Etymology
From Greek kosmetikos, "skilled in ordering or decorating," from kosmos, meaning "order" or "adornment."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cosmetic
See all rhymes for cosmetic →Frequently asked questions
What does “cosmetic” mean?
The word “cosmetic” means relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face. In plain terms, to do with beauty products, or describing a fix that only changes appearances, not substance.
How do you pronounce “cosmetic”?
“Cosmetic” is pronounced koz-MEH-tihk (/kɑzˈmɛt.ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “cosmetic” in a sentence?
Here is “cosmetic” used in a sentence: “She had cosmetic surgery to reshape her nose.”
What part of speech is “cosmetic”?
Depending on how it is used, “cosmetic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “cosmetic” come from?
The word “cosmetic” comes from Greek. From Greek kosmetikos, "skilled in ordering or decorating," from kosmos, meaning "order" or "adornment.".
Is “cosmetic” a common word?
“Cosmetic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cosmetic” have?
“Cosmetic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face.
What is the difference between cosmetic and cosmetics?
Cosmetic is an adjective describing something related to enhancing appearance, or a noun for a single beautifying product, while cosmetics is the plural noun referring to the whole category of makeup and beauty products collectively.
What does cosmetic mean when it is not about makeup?
Cosmetic can also describe something that affects only surface appearance rather than anything substantial, such as a 'cosmetic change' that looks different but doesn't alter how something actually functions.
What is cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic surgery refers to surgical procedures aimed at improving or enhancing a person's appearance, such as the skin or face, rather than treating a medical condition.
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