Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [koz-met-ik]
- /kɒzˈmɛt ɪk/
- /kɒzˈmet.ɪk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [koz-met-ik]
- /kɒzˈmɛt ɪk/
Definitions of cosmetic word
- countable noun cosmetic Cosmetics are substances such as lipstick or powder, which people put on their face to make themselves look more attractive. 3
- adjective cosmetic If you describe measures or changes as cosmetic, you mean they improve the appearance of a situation or thing but do not change its basic nature, and you are usually implying that they are inadequate. 3
- noun cosmetic any preparation applied to the body, esp the face, with the intention of beautifying it 3
- adjective cosmetic serving or designed to beautify the body, esp the face 3
- adjective cosmetic having no other function than to beautify 3
- adjective cosmetic designed to cover up a greater flaw or deficiency; superficial 3
Information block about the term
Origin of cosmetic
First appearance:
before 1595 One of the 38% oldest English words
1595-1605; < Greek kosmētikós relating to adornment, equivalent to kosmēt(ós) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, derivative of kósmos order, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Cosmetic
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
cosmetic popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
cosmetic usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for cosmetic
adj cosmetic
- superficial — being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.
- corrective — Corrective measures or techniques are intended to put right something that is wrong.
- nonessential — not essential; not necessary: Nonessential use of gasoline was forbidden during the war.
- makeup — facial cosmetics, as eye shadow or lipstick.
- surface — the outer face, outside, or exterior boundary of a thing; outermost or uppermost layer or area.
adjective cosmetic
- highlighting — to emphasize or make prominent.
- skin-deep — superficial or slight; not profound or substantial: Their sincerity is only skin-deep.
- ornamental — used or grown for ornament: ornamental plants.
- decorative — Something that is decorative is intended to look pretty or attractive.
- aesthetic — Aesthetic is used to talk about beauty or art, and people's appreciation of beautiful things.
noun cosmetic
- antiperspirant — an astringent substance applied to the skin to reduce or prevent perspiration
- acrylic — Acrylic material is artificial and is manufactured by a chemical process.
- latex — a milky liquid in certain plants, as milkweeds, euphorbias, poppies, or the plants yielding India rubber, that coagulates on exposure to air.
- rouge — any of various red cosmetics for coloring the cheeks or lips.
- greasepaint — an oily mixture of melted tallow or grease and a pigment, used by actors, clowns, etc., for making up their faces.
Antonyms for cosmetic
adjective cosmetic
- in-depth — extensive, thorough, or profound: an in-depth analysis of the problem.
Top questions with cosmetic
- what is cosmetic surgery?
- what does cosmetic mean?
See also
Matching words
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