cosmetic

/kɑzˈmɛdɪk/

/kɒzˈmɛtɪk/

Other forms: cosmetics

Cosmetic refers to how something or someone looks. Visit the cosmetics department of a store if you are looking to buy lipstick, and visit a cosmetic surgeon if you are looking to buy new lips.

The word cosmetic has to do with beauty and appearance. Cosmetic surgery makes someone look better, but isn't necessary medically, like heart surgery. A cosmetic change to a building only changes the building’s appearance. Cosmetic often means the same as decorative or ornamental. Also, cosmetics are items used to adorn, especially women, such as nail polish, lipstick, and eyeliner. All uses of cosmetic have to do with what's on the outside, not what's on the inside.

Definitions of cosmetic

1. adjective

   serving an aesthetic rather than a useful purpose
   “cosmetic fenders on cars”

   synonyms: decorative, ornamental

   nonfunctional

   not having or performing a function
2. adjective

   serving an aesthetic purpose in beautifying the body
   “cosmetic surgery”

   synonyms: enhancive

   aesthetic, aesthetical, esthetic, esthetical

   concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
3. noun

   a toiletry designed to beautify the body
   types:

   depilator, depilatory, epilator

   a cosmetic for temporary removal of undesired hair

   highlighter

   a cosmetic used to highlight the eyes or cheekbones

   make-up, makeup, war paint

   cosmetics applied to the face to improve or change your appearance

   nail enamel, nail polish, nail varnish

   a cosmetic lacquer that dries quickly and that is applied to the nails to color them or make them shiny

   pencil

   a cosmetic in a long thin stick; designed to be applied to a particular part of the face

   epilating wax

   a mixture of resins and waxes to remove cosmetically undesirable hair; mixture is applied hot to the surface and after cooling is pulled away taking the hairs with it

   eyebrow pencil

   makeup provided by a cosmetic pencil that is used to darken the eyebrows

   eyeliner

   makeup applied to emphasize the shape of the eyes

   eyeshadow

   makeup consisting of a cosmetic substance used to darken the eyes

   face powder

   cosmetic powder for the face

   greasepaint

   a greasy substance used as makeup by actors

   kohl

   a cosmetic preparation used by women in Egypt and Arabia to darken the edges of their eyelids

   lip-gloss

   makeup that makes the lips shiny

   lip rouge, lipstick

   makeup that is used to color the lips

   mascara

   makeup that is used to darken and thicken the eye lashes

   blusher, paint, rouge

   makeup consisting of a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks

   type of:

   toilet articles, toiletry

   artifacts used in making your toilet (washing and taking care of your body)