Word
aesthetic
Phoneticsaes·thet·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛsˈθɛtɪk/
UK/iːsθˈɛtɪk/
Definitions
01related to beauty
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. connected to beauty or the way something looks.
adj. relating to the appreciation of beauty or good taste.
“The building was designed for aesthetic reasons rather than just to be useful.”
“The committee rejected the proposal on purely aesthetic grounds, arguing that the modern glass tower would clash with the historic stone cathedral.”
02a specific style
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a particular style or 'vibe' that makes someone or something look a certain way.
n. a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.
“The café has a very clean, modern aesthetic with lots of plants.”
“Her photography captures a nostalgic aesthetic, using soft lighting and grainy textures to evoke a sense of the 1970s.”
03study of beauty
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the study of what makes things beautiful, especially in art.
n. the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty.
“In college, she took a class on the aesthetic of ancient Greek sculpture.”
“The professor's lecture focused on the evolution of the aesthetic in European portraiture during the Renaissance.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aesthetic” in context.
Verb
01. appreciate the aesthetic
“One does not need to be an expert to appreciate the aesthetic of the Renaissance period.”
verb + noun
02. enhance the aesthetic
“Adding soft lighting can significantly enhance the aesthetic of a room.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. aesthetic to the eye
“The symmetry of the garden is highly aesthetic to the eye.”
adj + prep
04. pleasing aesthetic
“The minimalist design of the apartment creates a very pleasing aesthetic.”
adj + noun
05. purely aesthetic
“The renovations were purely aesthetic and did not improve the structural integrity of the building.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. aesthetic appeal
“The product's aesthetic appeal is just as important as its functionality for modern consumers.”
noun + noun
07. aesthetic value
“Art critics often debate the aesthetic value of contemporary installations.”
noun + noun
08. sense of aesthetic
“She has a very refined sense of aesthetic that is reflected in her fashion choices.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Their rules tend to reflect strong preferences for aesthetic uniformity, believed by some to be associated with higher home values.” “The illuminated front fascia, full-width lighting elements, and expansive glass roof create a modern aesthetic that feels premium rather than performative.” “The dialogue that followed, between eastern aesthetics and western modernism, moulded the development of modern art on both sides.” “Either way, such homegrown attempts to cash in on or send up Wagner’s image make for a surreal contrast to the earnest aesthetic debates on and off stage at Bayreuth.” Etymology
Aesthetic comes from German Ästhetik or French esthétique. Both come from New Latin aesthēticus, which was itself borrowed from Ancient Greek αἰσθητικός (aisthētikós), meaning "of sense perception." The Greek word comes from αἰσθάνομαι (aisthánomai), "I feel." In English, the word breaks down into aesthe(sis), meaning "perception," and the suffix -tic.
Cognates (words from the same ancient root) include Proto-Germanic *awiz ("obvious"), Sanskrit āvís ("manifestly, evidently") and Latin audiō ("I hear").
Original etymology written by Shinotoshi Nakamura.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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