Cosmetics
/kɑzˈmɛtɪks/noun
Substances or practices used to enhance or alter the appearance of the face, body, or hair.
Did you know?Cosmetics ultimately traces back to Greek kosmos, the same root behind *cosmos*, because adornment was once tied to putting things into harmonious order.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κόσμος (kosmos)
“order, arrangement, ornament, adornment”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κοσμητικός (kosmētikos)
“skilled in arranging or adorning”
Late Latin
Latin
cosmeticus
“pertaining to adorning or embellishing”
16th–17th Century
English
cosmetick
“a substance or preparation for beautifying the body”
Modern English
English
cosmetics
“beautifying preparations, especially for the face”