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cosmetic

Pronunciation: /kɒzˈmɛtɪk/

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Definition of cosmetic

adjective

1relating to treatment intended to restore or improve a person’s appearance:cosmetic surgery
serving to improve the appearance of the body, especially the face:cosmetic creams

2affecting only the appearance of something rather than its substance:the reform package was merely a cosmetic exercise

noun

(usually cosmetics)

a preparation applied to the body, especially the face, to improve its appearance: the range covers everything from the latest cosmetics to skin and hair care

Derivatives

cosmetically

Origin:

early 17th century (as a noun denoting the art of beautifying the body): from French cosmétique, from Greek kosmētikos, from kosmein 'arrange or adorn', from kosmos 'order or adornment'

cosmetic in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cosmetic in the US English dictionary

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Other

cosmetic

adjective

noun

Derivatives

cosmetically

Origin:

cosmetic in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for cosmetic

More words in this category

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