anticosmetic
|an-ti-cos-met-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.kɑzˈmɛt.ɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.kɒzˈmɛt.ɪk/
against beautification / not merely superficial
Etymology
'anticosmetic' originates from Greek and Modern English compounding: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meaning 'against', combined with 'cosmetic' (via French and Latin from Greek 'kosmetikos'), where 'kosmein' meant 'to arrange or adorn'.
'anticosmetic' was formed in Modern English by joining the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'cosmetic'; 'cosmetic' entered English via French 'cosmétique' and Latin from Greek 'kosmetikos', and the combining prefix 'anti-' has long been used in English to form opposites.
Initially the Greek elements conveyed 'against arrangement/adorning'; in modern English 'anticosmetic' is used either to indicate being opposed to cosmetics (ideological) or to describe things that are not merely cosmetic (substantive).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to cosmetics or the use of makeup and beauty products; expressing an ideological or practical stance against cosmetics.
She took an anticosmetic position and refused to wear makeup at public events.
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Adjective 2
not merely cosmetic; substantive rather than superficial — describing changes, measures, or features intended to have real effect rather than only alter appearance.
The board insisted on anticosmetic reforms to the policy, not just superficial updates.
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Last updated: 2025/08/30 06:04