cosmetic
/kɑzˈmɛt.ɪk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.71 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.
adj
External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.
noun
Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner.
noun
A feature existing only on the surface.
noun
An intangible influence that improves the overall perception of some thing or situation.
Example Sentences
- "a cosmetic preparation"
- "Firſt, rob'd in white, the nymph intent adores / With head uncover'd, the coſmetic pow'rs."
- "Fortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely."
- "These endocrine disruptors are everywhere: plastics, shampoos, cosmetics, cushions, pesticides, canned foods and A.T.M. receipts. They often aren’t on labels and can be difficult to avoid."
- "All depends upon circumstances—anger as much as any thing else. Interest is your only true cosmetic for smoothing the brow."
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”), from κόσμος (kósmos, “order”). By surface analysis, cosmos + -etic.
Origin
- Source language: French
Word Breakdown
- Root: *ḱens-, cosmétique, κοσμητική
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /kɑzˈmɛt.ɪk/
- British English: /kɒzˈmɛtɪk/
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
Frequently Paired Words
Synonyms
beauty product
makeup
make-up
product[Appendix:Glossary
slap
war paint
enhancive
decorative
ornamental