beauty
the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).
a beautiful person, especially a woman.
treatments and products that enhance a person’s physical attractiveness, or the industry associated with this: She left her career in business administration to pursue her passion in beauty and wellness.
a beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.
Often beauties. a beautiful feature or trait in nature or in some natural or artificial environment: the rugged beauties of our seashore and mountains.
Informal. a particular advantage: One of the beauties of this medicine is the freedom from aftereffects.
(often used ironically) someone or something that is extraordinary, remarkable, or amazing; a beaut: That sunburn is a real beauty!
something excellent of its kind: My old car, now she was a beauty.
relating to or being something intended to enhance a person’s physical attractiveness: They have a wonderful handcrafted line of natural beauty products, including soaps, lip balm, scented oils, and moisturizer.Make time for yourself and book a relaxing beauty treatment in our first-class spa.
Origin of beauty
1word story For beauty
The progression of the various senses is: “(especially of a woman) physical attractiveness, grace, charm” (early 14th century); “(general) moral or intellectual excellence” (late 14th century); “(of a physical object) pleasing to the sight” and “a pleasing or beautiful quality” (both from the 15th century).
The colloquial, sometimes ironic sense, especially in the shortened noun beaut, “someone or something extraordinary, remarkable, or amazing,” was originally an Americanism dating to the first half of the 19th century.
Other words for beauty
1 | loveliness, comeliness, pulchritude, attractiveness, allure |
2 | belle |
Opposites for beauty
1 | ugliness |
Other words from beauty
- non·beau·ty, noun, plural non·beau·ties.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for beauty
/ (ˈbjuːtɪ) /
the combination of all the qualities of a person or thing that delight the senses and please the mind
a very attractive and well-formed girl or woman
informal an outstanding example of its kind: the horse is a beauty
informal an advantageous feature: one beauty of the job is the short hours
informal, old-fashioned a light-hearted and affectionate term of address: hello, my old beauty!
(NZ ˈbjuːdɪ) an expression of approval or agreement: Also (Scot, Austral, and NZ): you beauty
Origin of beauty
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with beauty
In addition to the idiom beginning with beauty
- beauty is only skin deep
also see:
- that's the beauty of
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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