Definition of COSMETIC

cosmetic

Plural: cosmetics

Noun

  • A preparation applied to the face or body to enhance beauty.
  • a toiletry designed to beautify the body
  • Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.
  • A feature existing only on the surface.
  • An intangible influence that improves the overall perception of some thing or situation.

Adjective Satellite

  • serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
    • "cosmetic fenders on cars"
  • serving an aesthetic purpose in beautifying the body
    • "cosmetic surgery"

Adj

  • Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.
  • External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.

Examples

  • a cosmetic preparation
  • Adding COSMETIC to the board was a flashy play, but it also scored big points.
  • Fortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely.

Origin / Etymology

From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), from κοσμητής (kosmētḗs, “orderer, director, decorator”), from κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”).

Synonyms

decorative, enhancive, ornamental, beauty products, makeup, product, slap, war paint

Scrabble Score: 14

cosmetic: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
cosmetic: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
cosmetic: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

cosmetic: valid Words With Friends Word