cos·met·ic
käz-ˈme-tik 
1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion : beautifying
cosmetic salves
2
: done or made for the sake of appearance: such as
a
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
b
c
: not substantive : superficial
cosmetic changes
3
: visually appealing
: something that is cosmetic: such as
a
: a cosmetic preparation for external use
b
cosmetics plural
: superficial features
… a poem without rhetorical cosmetics …—
Guy Davenport
Guy DavenportExamples of cosmetic in a Sentence
Adjective
Almond oil is sometimes used in cosmetic products.
medical procedures that are done for cosmetic purposes
The changes were purely cosmetic.
Noun
Use a cosmetic to hide the scar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Home warranties don't typically cover damage from natural disasters, cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions and damage due to improper maintenance.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Clear and Clean Counters Take a few seconds to put medications, cosmetics, and hair care tools away in a medicine cabinet, vanity drawers, or under the sink.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
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Adjective
The organization also wants to increase public awareness on the issue and guidance for parents and guardians navigating these cosmetic decisions with their teenagers — especially when there's so much uninformed information on social media.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Home warranties don't typically cover damage from natural disasters, cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions and damage due to improper maintenance.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
The search for hair restoration solutions has evolved from a niche cosmetic desire into a robust sector of medical tourism, driven by rising costs in the United States and the improving quality of care abroad.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Clear and Clean Counters Take a few seconds to put medications, cosmetics, and hair care tools away in a medicine cabinet, vanity drawers, or under the sink.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cosmetic
Cite this Entry
“Cosmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmetic. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cosmetic
1 of 2 noun
cos·met·ic
käz-ˈmet-ik
: a preparation (as a cream, lotion, or powder) used to improve a person's appearance
cosmetic
2 of 2 adjective
: intended to improve a person's appearance
Medical Definition
cosmetic
1 of 2 noun
cos·met·ic
käz-ˈmet-ik
: a cosmetic preparation for external use
cosmetic
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion
cosmetic salves
2
: correcting defects especially of the face
cosmetic surgery
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