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Makeup vs Cosmetic - What's the difference?

makeup | cosmetic |

As nouns the difference between makeup and cosmetic

is that makeup is (uncountable) an item's composition while cosmetic is any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, eg lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.

As a adjective cosmetic is

imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.

makeup

English

Alternative forms

*

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (uncountable) An item's composition.
    • To understand how a nuclear reactor works, we must first look at its makeup .
  • (uncountable) Cosmetics; colorants and other substances applied to the skin to improve its appearance.
    • She is wearing a lot of makeup .
  • (Industry) Replacement; material used to make up for the amount that has been used up.
  • * 2005 , William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John A. Tomczyk, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology , page 1208:
    • When the water level drops, the float ball drops with it and opens the valve to the makeup water supply.

    Usage notes

    The alternative spelling make-up is favored by the Oxford Dictionary, and thus is often considered to be British, while makeup, being preferred by Merriam Webster's dictionary, is the generally accepted American spelling. In reference with Jean-Claude Corbeil/Ariane Archambault: Visual Dictionary, Look up a Word from a Picture, Find the Picture from a Word. (New York, USA / Oxford, UK, 1987)

    Hyponyms

    * See also

    References

    cosmetic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • 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, the cosmetic powers.
  • External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.
    • Fortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely.

    Related terms

    * cosmos

    Derived terms

    * cosmetic surgery

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.
  • A feature existing only on the surface.

    • Hyponyms

    * See also

    See also

    (Cosmetics) * makeup

    External links

    * * *