[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/cosmetic/)

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# cosmetic

adjective (cosmetic); noun (cosmetics — usually plural)

«cosmetic» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Cosmetics are things like make-up, face cream and lipstick that people put on to look nicer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#m1)
2. (adjective) Cosmetic means done only to improve how something looks, not how it works: «a cosmetic change». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#m2)
3. Cosmetic surgery is an operation to change how someone looks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life it is about make-up and appearance. In discussions it can mean shallow: a cosmetic change does not fix the real problem. Phrases: «cosmetic surgery», «purely cosmetic», «cosmetics counter».

### Examples

- Mum keeps her cosmetics in a little bag. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x1)
- The scratch on the car is only cosmetic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x2)
- They gave the room a cosmetic makeover with new paint. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x3)
- Some cosmetics are tested to make sure they are safe for skin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x4)
- Changing the name was just a cosmetic change. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x5)
- Cosmetic surgery can change the shape of a nose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/#x6)

### Note

The noun is usually plural: cosmetics. «Purely cosmetic» means it doesn't really matter for how something works. Not related to «cosmic».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «cosmetic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cosmetic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cosmetic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cosmetic.html) on Mova free.