cosmetic
Use Cosmetic in a sentence
Ads
Cosmetic www.covergirl.com/Cosmetics Get Make Up Tips, Cosmetics, and Expert Advice for the Perfect Look!
Beauty Products www.dove.us/ Feel Soft and Beautiful with Dove® Products. Treat Yourself!
ɪk 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
3.
serving to beautify; imparting or improving beauty, especially of the face.
4.
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.
Origin:
1595–1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt(ós) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
1595–1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt(ós) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
Related forms
cos·met·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·cos·met·ics, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To cosmetic
00:10
Cosmetic
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
cosmetic (kɒzˈmɛtɪk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | any preparation applied to the body, esp the face, with the intention of beautifying it |
| —adj | |
| 2. | serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face |
| 3. | having no other function than to beautify: cosmetic illustrations in a book |
| 4. | derogatory designed to cover up a greater flaw or deficiency; superficial: their resignation is a cosmetic exercise |
| [C17: from Greek kosmētikos, from kosmein to arrange, from kosmos order] | |
| cos'metically | |
| —adv | |
| cosmeti'cology | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
cosmetic
1605, from Gk. kosmetikos "skilled in adornment," from kosmein "to arrange, adorn," from kosmos "order" (see cosmos). Fig. sense of "superficial" is from 1955.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
cosmetic cos·met·ic (kŏz-mět'ĭk)
n.
A preparation, such as powder or a skin cream, designed to beautify the body by direct application. adj.
Serving to beautify the body, especially the face and hair.
Serving to modify or improve the appearance of a physical feature, defect, or irregularity.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
If you are considering cosmetic surgery, you must be honest with yourself.
Even less-expensive cosmetic treatments have become subject to the economic downturn.
It had everything under one roof, from a gourmet grocery to high-end clothing and cosmetic boutiques.
The only approved cosmetic use is for temporary smoothing of wrinkles between the eyebrows.
Matching Quote
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
