cosmetic
gb/kɑzmˈɛtɪk/ us/kɑzmˈɛtɪk/
B1
Inglés
~ 5900
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
relating to beauty products
Describes products or treatments that people use to make their face, skin, or body look better, not to cure illness.
Patrón de uso:
[cosmetic] [product/treatment/brand/industry]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "cosmetic" with "cosmetic surgery" and think it always means medical. As an adjective before products (cosmetic cream, cosmetic brand), it usually just means beauty-related, not medical.
Sinónimos
beauty (Often used before a noun (beauty products/industry) in a very similar way, but slightly broader and more informal.)
|
aesthetic (More formal and technical; often used in art and design as well as appearance.)
Antónimos
medicinal (Focuses on treating disease or health problems rather than appearance.)
Colocaciones
cosmetic products
|cosmetic industry
|cosmetic brand
|cosmetic ingredients
|cosmetic line
|cosmetic company
Temas
appearance
|fashion
|daily life
|daily_life
|health
Ejemplos
- She started her own cosmetic brand that focuses on natural ingredients.
- The new law will require safety testing for all cosmetic products sold in the country.
- He works as a chemist in a cosmetic company developing new skin creams.
- Many cosmetic treatments promise quick results but can be expensive.
- The report criticized the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She sells cosmetic products online.
- This shop has many cosmetic brands from Korea.
- I bought a new cosmetic cream for my face.
- The cosmetic industry is very big today.
- She works for a cosmetic company in the city.
Sustantivo
B1
entity
2
beauty product for appearance
A cream, liquid, or powder that people put on their skin or face to look more beautiful.
Patrón de uso:
use [cosmetics] on [body part]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "cosmetic" in the singular when they really mean the general category. In English, we usually say "cosmetics" for the group of products (e.g., "She doesn't wear cosmetics"), and use a more specific word (lipstick, cream) for single items.
Sinónimos
makeup (Very common in everyday speech, especially for products used on the face; "cosmetics" is slightly more general and a bit more formal.)
|
beauty product (A broad, everyday term that includes cosmetics but can also include items like shampoo or perfume.)
Antónimos
makeup-free (Describes a face without any cosmetics applied.)
Colocaciones
wear cosmetics
|apply cosmetics
|remove cosmetics
|cosmetic bag
|cosmetic counter
|cosmetic case
Temas
appearance
|daily life
|fashion
|daily_life
|health
Ejemplos
- The airline only allows small containers of liquids, including cosmetics, in carry-on luggage.
- She keeps all her cosmetics neatly organized in a small bag.
- The store has a separate section for luxury cosmetics and perfumes.
- Many consumers are asking for cruelty-free cosmetics that are not tested on animals.
- His job is to design packaging for high-end cosmetics.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She does not wear cosmetics to work.
- I bought some new cosmetics at the mall.
- Please put your cosmetics in this small bag.
- These cosmetics are very expensive.
- He sells cosmetics in a large store.
adjective
B2
property
3
affecting appearance but not function
Describes changes or damage that only change how something looks, not how it works.
Patrón de uso:
[cosmetic] [damage/change/repair/defect]
Error frecuente:
Learners may misunderstand "cosmetic damage" and think it is serious because the word sounds technical. In this use, "cosmetic" usually means the problem is only on the outside and does not affect how something works.
Sinónimos
superficial (Very close in meaning, but can also refer to shallow thinking or feelings, not just appearance.)
|
surface-level (Informal phrase that also means only on the outside, not deep or structural.)
Antónimos
structural (Stresses that something affects the basic framework or function, not just the surface.)
|
fundamental (Highlights that the change or damage affects the core or essential parts, not just appearance.)
Colocaciones
cosmetic damage
|cosmetic defects
|cosmetic changes
|cosmetic repairs
|purely cosmetic
|minor cosmetic issues
Temas
technology
|transport
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The car had a few scratches, but the damage was only cosmetic.
- We made some cosmetic changes to the website, but the code is the same.
- The seller claims the defects are purely cosmetic and don't affect performance.
- There are some cosmetic cracks in the wall, but the building is safe.
- The phone has cosmetic wear on the back, but it works perfectly.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The TV has some cosmetic damage, but it works well.
- These are only cosmetic changes to the room.
- The car has cosmetic scratches on the door.
- The problem is cosmetic and does not change how it works.
- He said the crack is only cosmetic, not dangerous.
adjective
C1
property
4
superficial and not serious
Describes a change that looks good on the outside but does not really fix the main problem.
Patrón de uso:
[cosmetic] [change/reform/fix/measure]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think "cosmetic" here still has to do with beauty products. In this sense, it is figurative: it means a change only affects how something appears, not how it really is. It is often used in criticism ("merely cosmetic").
Sinónimos
token (Suggests a change is done mainly for show or appearance, not to have real effect.)
|
superficial (Very close in meaning; often used to criticize something that does not go deep enough.)
Antónimos
substantive (Emphasizes that a change is real and meaningful, not just for appearance.)
|
meaningful (Highlights that the action seriously addresses the problem, unlike a cosmetic one.)
Colocaciones
cosmetic changes
|cosmetic reforms
|cosmetic fix
|cosmetic measure
|largely cosmetic
|purely cosmetic
Temas
politics
|business
|society
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Critics say the new rules are merely cosmetic and will not reduce corruption.
- The company made cosmetic changes to its logo instead of improving its services.
- These reforms are largely cosmetic, designed to calm public anger.
- He called the update a cosmetic fix that leaves the real issues untouched.
- The plan offers cosmetic solutions rather than tackling the root causes.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The new law is only a cosmetic change.
- Many people think these reforms are cosmetic, not real.
- They made cosmetic changes to the report but did not add new information.
- The update is cosmetic and does not solve the problem.
- These cosmetic fixes will not help in the long term.
adjective
technical
B2
property
5
medical, to improve appearance only
Describes medical or dental treatment that changes how you look, not your health or how your body works.
Patrón de uso:
[cosmetic] [surgery/procedure/treatment/dentistry]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse "cosmetic surgery" with any kind of surgery on the face or skin. In medical English, "cosmetic" usually means the purpose is to change appearance, not to solve a health or function problem.
Sinónimos
aesthetic (In medical contexts, "aesthetic" is often used in a very similar way, especially in "aesthetic surgery"; slightly more formal/technical.)
Antónimos
reconstructive (Refers to surgery that restores normal function or appearance after injury or illness, not just for looks.)
|
medically necessary (Describes procedures done for health reasons, not only for appearance.)
Colocaciones
cosmetic surgery
|cosmetic procedure
|cosmetic treatment
|cosmetic dentistry
|cosmetic surgeon
|cosmetic clinic
Temas
medicine
|appearance
|health
Ejemplos
- She decided to have cosmetic surgery to reshape her nose.
- The clinic offers several non‑invasive cosmetic procedures.
- Cosmetic dentistry can correct discolored or uneven teeth.
- He specializes in cosmetic treatments such as Botox injections and fillers.
- The insurance company does not cover purely cosmetic operations.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She had cosmetic surgery on her nose.
- This clinic offers many cosmetic procedures for the face.
- Cosmetic dentistry can make your teeth look whiter.
- The operation was cosmetic, not needed for his health.
- Her insurance does not pay for cosmetic treatment.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
cosmetic
AFI
GB/kɑzmˈɛtɪk/
US/kɑzmˈɛtɪk/
Sílabas y acento
cos - met - ic (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (met)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: cosmetic
Noun
- Base: cosmetic
- Plural: cosmetics
Familia de palabras
Forms
cosmetics
noun
Core family
cosmetically
adverb
Related words
cosmetology
noun
cosmetologist
noun
Expresiones
cosmetic changes
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
changes to appearance only
Changes that only change how something looks, and do not change how it works or what it really is.
Ejemplos
- The latest software update makes only cosmetic changes to the interface.
- They made a few cosmetic changes to the report before publishing it.
- Most of the renovations were cosmetic changes, like new paint and flooring.
cosmetic damage
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk dˈæmɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
damage to looks, not function
Damage that makes something look bad on the outside but does not stop it from working.
Ejemplos
- The used car has some cosmetic damage, but the engine is in good condition.
- The laptop has cosmetic damage on the case but works perfectly.
- The shipping company agreed that the boxes had only cosmetic damage.
cosmetic defect
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk dˈifɛkt/
fixed phrase
appearance-only flaw
A small problem that only changes how something looks, not how it works.
Ejemplos
- The jacket is on sale because of a small cosmetic defect in the stitching.
- Electronic devices with cosmetic defects are often sold at a discount.
- The inspector noted a cosmetic defect in the paint but passed the car overall.
cosmetic dentistry
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk dˈɛntɪstɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
dental work for appearance
Dental work that makes your teeth or smile look better, such as whitening or veneers, usually not for health reasons.
Ejemplos
- She went into cosmetic dentistry because she enjoys helping people feel confident about their smiles.
- Cosmetic dentistry can be very expensive and is rarely covered by insurance.
- The clinic specializes in cosmetic dentistry, including veneers and whitening.
cosmetic fix
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk fˈɪks/
fixed phrase
superficial solution
A change that makes something look better but does not really solve the main problem.
Ejemplos
- Adding a new logo is just a cosmetic fix; the company needs deeper changes.
- Painting over the damp wall is a cosmetic fix that ignores the cause of the moisture.
- Critics called the policy a cosmetic fix that leaves the system unchanged.
cosmetic procedure
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk pɹoʊsˈid͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
medical treatment for appearance
A medical treatment, which may or may not be surgery, that is done mainly to change how a person looks.
Ejemplos
- The clinic offers a range of cosmetic procedures, from fillers to laser treatments.
- Before booking any cosmetic procedure, you should research the doctor's qualifications.
- Non‑surgical cosmetic procedures can still have serious side effects.
cosmetic surgery
1/kɑzmˈɛtɪk sˈɚd͡ʒɚi/
fixed phrase
surgery to improve appearance
Surgery that changes how a person looks, usually to make them look more attractive, not to treat a disease or injury.
Ejemplos
- Cosmetic surgery has become more common and socially accepted in many countries.
- He saved money for years to pay for cosmetic surgery on his eyelids.
- The doctor explained the risks of cosmetic surgery before she signed the consent form.
purely cosmetic
1/pjˈʊɹli kɑzmˈɛtɪk/
fixed phrase
only about appearance
Used to say that something is only about how it looks and does not change anything important inside or how it works.
Ejemplos
- The changes to the law are purely cosmetic and will not protect consumers.
- The crack in the dashboard is purely cosmetic and does not affect safety.
- Doctors told him the operation would be purely cosmetic and not medically necessary.