1640s, from French cosmétique (16c.), from Greek kosmetikos "skilled in adornment or arrangement," from kosmein "to arrange, adorn," from kosmos "order" (see cosmos). Fig [..]

c. 1600, "art of beautifying," from Latinized form of Greek kosmetike (tekhne) "the art of dress and ornament," from fem. of kosmetikos (see cosmetic (adj.)). Meaning "a prepa [..]

a toiletry designed to beautify the body serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose; "cosmetic fenders on cars"; "the buildings were utilitarian rather tha [..]

adj. Pertaining to the art of beautifying, especially the complexion.

cosmetic (pop)

(n) a toiletry designed to beautify the body(adj) serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose(adj) serving an aesthetic purpose in beautifying the body

Substances intended to be applied to the Human Body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions. Included [..]

The official FDA definition is "Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed, on introduced into, or somehow otherwise applied to the human body for the purpose of cleansing, [..]

The word means anything that can beautify or make more attractive. It has also come to mean the products that are used every day in such as make-up, powder, lipstick and so on.

A drug used to improve complexion, or to enhance beauty.

Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion. ''a cosmetic preparation'' * Alexander Pope *: First, robed in white, the nymph intent adores, / With head uncovered, th [..]