cosmetic
95
4.4
- adjective
- /kəzˈmɛtɪk/
:
estético
- An important consideration in the assessment of breast conservation is the cosmetic outcome after surgery and radiotherapy.
- merely cosmetic
- cosmetic changes
- cosmetic surgery
So if they've had any cosmetic procedures, stop.
- So if they've had any cosmetic procedures, stop.
- I mean, it's a cosmetic, cosmetic effect.
- Would I let my child when she's of age have cosmetic surgery?
Examples
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Patient or parent concerns frequently focus on cosmetic considerations in the head and neck region.
Academic text (1998) -
What I am doing is purely cosmetic, you see, make it beautiful, right?
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But basically I am actually having some dental cosmetic work done soon.
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It's cosmetic stuff mostly, I'd say.
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It serves as everything from a cosmetic fix to an escape from the real world.
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Facial exercises were recommended to improve the cosmetic appearance of the face.
Academic text (1996) -
It's only cosmetic.
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This was a grill that we saw, you could see that, you know, it was dented, but to me it looked like it was only cosmetic.
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The makeup she applied was purely cosmetic and not meant to enhance her skin's health.
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These changes to the building are strictly cosmetic, aimed only at improving its appearance.
Synonyms
49
3.9
To make something look attractive rather than to be useful
14
4.0
Made to look attractive rather than useful
That makes a person look better or more attractive
Compounds
How Practical
Surface Forms
Morphology
cosmetic = cosmet + ic
The adjective is transparently formed from the combining form 'cosmet' + suffix '-ic' meaning 'relating to cosmetics/appearance', so learners who know 'cosmetic(s)' will infer the sense.
Etymology
Cosmetic comes from the same Greek root kosmein ('to arrange' or 'decorate'), so it describes changes that are only about how something looks. That is why a cosmetic change is for appearance only and does not fix how something works.