Meaning & use
cosmetic
Last updated
Affecting only the appearance of something rather than its substance or function; superficial.
See it in a sentence
The new manager's changes were purely cosmetic and didn't fix the department's real problems.
She applies cosmetic products every morning before leaving for work.
A note on using this word
Comes from the Greek "kosmetikos," meaning skilled in adornment, the same root that gives us "cosmos" in the sense of order and beauty.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A preparation applied to the body, especially the face, to enhance or alter its appearance.
The store sells a wide range of cosmetics, from lipstick to foundation.
Make it your own
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