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View synonyms for cosmetic

cosmetic

[ koz-met-ik ]

noun

  1. a powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge, or other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.
  2. cosmetics, superficial measures to make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive:

    The budget committee opted for cosmetics instead of a serious urban renewal plan.



adjective

  1. serving to beautify; imparting or improving beauty, especially of the face.
  2. used or done superficially to make something look better, more attractive, or more impressive:

    Alterations in the concert hall were only cosmetic and did nothing to improve the acoustics.

cosmetic

/ kɒzˈmɛtɪk /

noun

  1. any preparation applied to the body, esp the face, with the intention of beautifying it


adjective

  1. serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face
  2. having no other function than to beautify

    cosmetic illustrations in a book

  3. derogatory.
    designed to cover up a greater flaw or deficiency; superficial

    their resignation is a cosmetic exercise

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Derived Forms

  • cosˌmetiˈcology, noun
  • cosˈmetically, adverb

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Other Words From

  • cos·meti·cal·ly adverb
  • anti·cos·metics adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmetic1

1595–1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt ( ós ) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmetic1

C17: from Greek kosmētikos, from kosmein to arrange, from kosmos order

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Example Sentences

Skincare is increasingly outselling cosmetics in the beauty business.

From Fortune

Epic, whose Fortnite generates more than $1 billion annually from in-game purchases of virtual cosmetics and extras, sued both companies for what it considers excessive fees and for the right to sell game extras directly to players.

From Fortune

A stock split is, fundamentally, a cosmetic accounting trick—and buying fractional ownership of these companies is, on a relative basis, more expensive than ever after factoring in recent gains in share price.

From Fortune

L’Oreal’s sales dropped 19% in the second quarter as lockdown conditions weakened demand for makeup and cosmetics.

From Digiday

Among various commercially available bubble solutions, Miyako and Yang found that pollen grains remained most healthy and viable in one made with lauramidopropyl betaine — a chemical used in cosmetics and personal care products.

PG has been used in more than 4,000 food, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for more than 50 years.

Propylene glycol is used for a variety of industrial, cosmetic, and food production uses.

Sally Beauty has also partnered with Susan G. Komen to sell special pink cosmetic products.

She said pageant contents are just the most visible product of the cosmetic industry now at risk.

It can lead to all types of cosmetic and functional issues down the road which are difficult if not impossible to reverse.

Among the Germans cosmetic dentistry, though still the favorite field of charlatans, was greatly cultivated.

The medicinal and cosmetic properties of spring rain and May dew appear to have been at one time universally credited.

A kind of cosmetic greatly affected by the ladies, whom it greatly affects in turn.

Rejoice in the knowledge that gluttony is the best cosmetic.

I am always telling her that early rising is the best cosmetic for the complexion.

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cosm-cosmetician