cosmetic

Etymology

From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), from κοσμητής (kosmētḗs, “orderer, director, decorator”), from κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /kɒzˈmɛtɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /kɑzˈmɛtɪk/

• Audio (US)

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Adjective

cosmetic (comparative more cosmetic, superlative most cosmetic)

1. Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.

   a cosmetic preparation

   • Alexander Pope

     First, robed in white, the nymph intent adores, / With head uncovered, the cosmetic powers.

2. External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.

   Fortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely.

Noun

cosmetic (plural cosmetics)

1. Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.
2. A feature existing only on the surface.

See also

• makeup

Further reading

• cosmetic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• cosmetic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• cosmetic at OneLook Dictionary Search