What does "cosmetics" mean?

1. (makeup products) products like makeup, creams, or powders that you put on your skin or hair to look better. 2. (superficial appearance) the way something looks on the outside, especially when the inside stays the same.

How do you use "cosmetics"?

Always used in the plural form when referring to the products themselves.

cosmetics

US //kɑzˈmɛtɪks// UK //kɒzmˈɛtɪks// cos·met·ics

1 makeup products (n.)
B1 Intermediate

products like makeup, creams, or powders that you put on your skin or hair to look better.

preparations applied externally to the skin, hair, or nails to enhance or alter the appearance. Plural-only in this general sense.

Example

She spent a lot of money on expensive cosmetics at the department store.

Example

The regulation of cosmetics ensures that the chemicals used in skin creams and hair dyes are safe for long-term daily application.

Usage

Always used in the plural form when referring to the products themselves.
- makeup
- toiletries
- beauty products
2 superficial appearance (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the way something looks on the outside, especially when the inside stays the same.

the superficial aspects or outward appearance of a situation or object, often contrasted with its functional or structural reality.

Example

The company changed its logo, but it was just cosmetics; the service was still bad.

Example

The critics argued that the government's new policy was merely cosmetics designed to appease voters without addressing the underlying economic crisis.

Teacher's tip

This sense is often used with a negative tone to suggest that a change is shallow or dishonest.
- substance
- core

Origin

From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), from κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), an adjective of κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”).