cosmetic
pronunciation
How to pronounce cosmetic in British English:
UK [kɒzˈmetɪk]
How to pronounce cosmetic in American English:
US [kɑːzˈmetɪk]
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- Noun:
- a toiletry designed to beautify the body
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- Adjective:
- serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
- serving an aesthetic purpose in beautifying the body
Word Origin
- cosmetic (n.)
- c. 1600, "art of beautifying," from Latinized form of Greek kosmetike (tekhne) "the art of dress and ornament," from fem. of kosmetikos (see cosmetic (adj.)). Meaning "a preparation for beautifying" attested from 1640s (now often cosmetics).
- cosmetic (adj.)
- 1640s, from French cosmétique (16c.), from Greek kosmetikos "skilled in adornment or arrangement," from kosmein "to arrange, adorn," from kosmos "order" (see cosmos). Figurative sense of "superficial" is from 1955. Related: Cosmetically.
Example
- 1. Cosmetic and hair care companies exaggerate the benefits of their products .
- 2. Cosmetic companies pay fees to the company to include their products .
- 3. There is no suggestion that the women mentioned above have had cosmetic work .
- 4. Cosmetics and toiletries : cosmetic and hair care companies exaggerate the benefits of their products .
- 5. Retinoids were originally used to treat acne but have now been incorporated into cosmetic creams .