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⇱ cosmetics - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
cos•met•ic /kɑzˈmɛtɪk/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Clothinga powder, lotion, or other preparation to make the face, skin, etc., more beautiful.
  2. cosmetics, [plural] measures taken to make something seem better but without being better:Hiring a few minority employees was just cosmetics to stave off criticism.

adj. 
  1. Clothingdone or performed to improve beauty, esp. of the face:cosmetic surgery after the accident.
  2. done to improve the appearance of something without improving it:made a few cosmetic attempts to hire more people from minorities.
cos•met•i•cal•ly, adv. See -cosm-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
cos•met•ic  (koz met′ik),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Clothinga powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge, or other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.
  2. cosmetics, superficial measures to make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive:The budget committee opted for cosmetics instead of a serious urban renewal plan.

adj. 
  1. Clothingserving to beautify;
    imparting or improving beauty, esp. of the face.
  2. used or done superficially to make something look better, more attractive, or more impressive:Alterations in the concert hall were only cosmetic and did nothing to improve the acoustics.
  • Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent. to kosmēt(ós) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
  • 1595–1605
cos•met′i•cal•ly, adv. 

'cosmetics' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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Look up "cosmetics" at Merriam-Webster
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