Question 1 · Quick check
cosmetic
CEFRB1
/kɒzˈmɛtɪk/
adjective · noun
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
adjective
Related to improving appearance rather than treating a serious problem.
- 02
noun
A product used to improve the appearance of the face or body.
Examples
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by most insurance plans.
The speaker believes that cosmetic industries mislead women with impossible claims.
At a glance
Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 2
- Citations
- 3
- Synonyms
- 5
Also pronounced
- [kɑzˈmɛɾ.ɪk]
- [kɔzˈmeɾ.ɪk]
Deep Dive
adjective
Extra meaningsAny substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner.
External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.
Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.
More examples
In contextFortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely.
a cosmetic preparation
Firſt, rob'd in white, the nymph intent adores / With head uncover'd, the coſmetic pow'rs.
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
adjective
From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), from κοσμητής (kosmētḗs, “orderer, director, decorator”), from κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”), from κόσμος (kósmos, “order”). By surface analysis, cosmos + -etic.