cos·met·ic
käz-ˈme-tik 
1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion : beautifying
cosmetic salves
2
: done or made for the sake of appearance: such as
a
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
b
c
: not substantive : superficial
cosmetic changes
3
: visually appealing
: something that is cosmetic: such as
a
: a cosmetic preparation for external use
b
cosmetics plural
: superficial features
a poem without rhetorical cosmetics—
Guy Davenport
Guy DavenportExamples of cosmetic in a Sentence
Adjective
Almond oil is sometimes used in cosmetic products.
medical procedures that are done for cosmetic purposes
The changes were purely cosmetic.
Noun
Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Glaser surely knew the joke would kill with the A-listers in the room, since a good chunk of them had likely undergone blepharoplasty, the official name for the industry’s cosmetic procedure du jour.
—Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Sea buckthorn extracts, on the other hand, are often used for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as in cosmetics, cleansers, moisturizers, serums, shampoos, and conditioners.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Related article Nip and tuck surgeries for dogs and cats are more than cosmetic.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Glaser surely knew the joke would kill with the A-listers in the room, since a good chunk of them had likely undergone blepharoplasty, the official name for the industry’s cosmetic procedure du jour.
—Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
But this is the brand’s first foray into lipsticks, eye palettes and other cosmetics.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Sea buckthorn extracts, on the other hand, are often used for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as in cosmetics, cleansers, moisturizers, serums, shampoos, and conditioners.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cosmetic
1 of 2 noun
cos·met·ic
käz-ˈmet-ik
: a preparation (as a cream, lotion, or powder) used to improve a person's appearance
cosmetic
2 of 2 adjective
: intended to improve a person's appearance
Medical Definition
cosmetic
1 of 2 noun
cos·met·ic
käz-ˈmet-ik
: a cosmetic preparation for external use
cosmetic
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion
cosmetic salves
2
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share