cosmetic

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”).

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

• Audio (US)

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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.

• cosmetic surgery

• cosmetics
• cosmos

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.

• (substances enhance external color or texture): beauty products, makeup, product, slap, war paint

• (substances enhance external color or texture): See also Thesaurus:toiletry

• makeup

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