Cosmetology
/ˌkɑːz.məˈtɑː.lə.dʒi/noun
The study and practice of cosmetic treatment of the hair, skin, and nails.
Did you know?The first part of cosmetology comes from Greek *kosmos*, originally meaning “order” or “arrangement,” so the word is secretly tied to the idea of bringing order to the body’s appearance.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kosmos
“order, arrangement, adornment, and later the ordered universe”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kosmētikos
“skilled in arranging or adorning”
Late Latin
Latin
cosmeticus
“pertaining to adornment or beautifying”
17th Century
French
cosmétique
“cosmetic, beautifying”
19th Century
English
cosmetology
“the study or practice of cosmetics and beautification”