cosmetics
cosmetics — 名詞
1. substances such as creams, powders, and lipsticks that people use on their face
化妝品
用於美化臉部或身體的保養品與彩妝
substances such as creams, powders, and lipsticks that people use on their face or body to look better, protect the skin, or add colour
Rina opened her cosmetics bag and took out a red lipstick for the dinner party.
Rina 打開化妝包，拿出紅色口紅準備參加晚餐聚會。
collocation: cosmetics bag
The drugstore near Hakim's flat sells well-known cosmetics such as foundation, mascara, and eyeliner.
Hakim 家附近的藥妝店販售知名化妝品，例如粉底液、睫毛膏和眼線筆。
Many cosmetics now list ingredients clearly on the box to help people with sensitive skin.
現在許多化妝品都在包裝上清楚標示成分，幫助敏感肌膚的人做選擇。
Beatriz received a basket of natural cosmetics with handmade soap and rose body cream.
Beatriz 收到一籃天然化妝品，裡面有手工皂和玫瑰身體乳霜。
The airport officer reminded Dev to pack liquid cosmetics in a clear plastic bag.
機場人員提醒 Dev，液態化妝品必須裝進透明夾鏈袋中。
- makeup
more specific — refers to coloured products for the face (lipstick, eyeshadow, foundation) rather than all beauty products
- beauty products
broader — includes skincare, haircare, and fragrances alongside makeup
- skincare products
narrower — only products for cleaning and treating the skin, not colour cosmetics
文法句型
cosmetics + plural verb
cosmetics such as [types]
用法筆記
Always used in plural form. The singular 'cosmetic' exists as a countable noun but is uncommon outside technical writing — it usually refers to a single product type (e.g. 'a cosmetic for dry skin'). In everyday English, speakers use plural verb forms: 'cosmetics are...'
常見錯誤
2. features or changes that only touch the outward look of a situation or thing, wi
表面功夫
只改變外觀而未處理根本問題
features or changes that only touch the outward look of a situation or thing, without fixing what is really wrong underneath
The mayor's new park benches were just cosmetics — the city still lacked money for schools.
市長新設的公園長椅只是表面功夫——市府依然沒有經費給學校。
pattern: just cosmetics (dismissive)
Yuki said the team's apology was mere cosmetics; real action was needed to fix the problem.
Yuki 說團隊的道歉只是表面功夫；真正需要的是拿出行動來解決問題。
Lian saw through the cosmetics of the fancy office and asked about actual sales.
Lian 看穿了漂亮辦公室的表面功夫，直接問起實際的銷售數字。
Critics called the housing plan little more than cosmetics — the walls were painted but mould stayed.
批評者稱這項住房計畫不過是表面功夫——牆壁粉刷了，但黴菌依舊存在。
Farid explained the colourful slides were only cosmetics — the real budget figures told a darker story.
Farid 解釋那些彩色投影片只是表面功夫——實際的預算數字說出了更黯淡的事實。
- window dressing
stronger negative connotation — suggests deliberate deception about the true state of things
- surface changes
neutral description without the dismissive tone
- superficial improvements
more formal; can be neutral or critical depending on context
- substance
what is real and important beneath the surface
- fundamentals
the core principles or structures that truly matter
文法句型
the cosmetics of [something]
more than just cosmetics
用法筆記
This figurative sense is used critically to suggest that an effort is shallow or deceptive. It often appears in negative constructions: 'just cosmetics', 'mere cosmetics', 'little more than cosmetics'. Distinguish from sense 1 which is literal.
常見錯誤
cosmetics — 形容詞
1. connected with products, treatments, or procedures that are meant to make a pers
美容的
與美化肌膚或外貌有關的
connected with products, treatments, or procedures that are meant to make a person's skin, face, or body more attractive
Nkechi joined a cosmetic company in Lagos that makes shea butter creams for dry skin.
Nkechi 進了拉哥斯一家美容公司，專門生產乾性肌膚用的乳木果油乳霜。
collocation: cosmetic company
The dermatologist told Olena to choose cosmetic creams free of perfume to stop the redness.
皮膚科醫師建議 Olena 選用無香料的美容乳霜來改善泛紅情形。
Cosmetic testing on animals is banned in over forty countries, pushing brands toward new methods.
美容產品動物實驗已在四十多國遭禁用，促使各品牌開發新的測試方式。
Jamal bought his mother a cosmetic gift set with a gentle face wash and night serum.
Jamal 買了一組美容禮盒送給母親，內含溫和洗面乳和夜間精華液。
A cosmetic chemist named Tanya explained how sunscreen blocks harmful rays while letting skin breathe.
一位名叫 Tanya 的美容化學家解釋防曬乳如何在阻擋有害光線的同時讓肌膚透氣。
- beauty
same meaning but used more broadly (beauty salon, beauty industry) and not limited to skincare
- beautifying
describes the action or purpose rather than the category
- medicinal
used for health or medical purposes rather than appearance
文法句型
cosmetic + noun (product/cream/industry/treatment)
用法筆記
This sense only appears before a noun (attributive position). It is not used after linking verbs: you cannot say ✗ 'This cream is cosmetic'; instead say 'This is a cosmetic cream' or 'This cream is for cosmetic use.' Compare with adjective sense 3 for medical procedures.
常見錯誤
2. describing a change or action that deals only with how something appears on the
表面的
僅涉及外觀，非實質或重要層面
describing a change or action that deals only with how something appears on the outside, without making any real difference to its condition or quality
The landlord gave the flat a cosmetic update — fresh paint and new lights — but left the leaking pipes.
房東對公寓做了表面的更新——重新粉刷和換了新燈具——但漏水的水管依然沒修。
collocation: cosmetic update
Kwame said the company's new diversity poster was a cosmetic gesture — all the managers stayed the same.
Kwame 說公司新的多元海報只是表面的姿態——管理層的成員還是一樣沒變。
collocation: cosmetic gesture
The car looked great after its cosmetic repairs, but the engine still stalled at every junction.
這輛車在表面的維修後看起來很棒，但引擎在每個路口還是會熄火。
Experts called the tax cut a cosmetic fix that helped headlines but did nothing for people's income.
專家稱這項減稅只是表面的修補，只能博取新聞版面，對民眾收入毫無幫助。
Sora noticed the cosmetic changes in the office did nothing about the noise or lack of natural light.
Sora 注意到辦公室的表面改變對噪音和缺乏自然光的問題一點幫助也沒有。
- superficial
more common in everyday speech; same dismissive meaning
- surface-level
informal but clearer for learners
- token
suggests the change was made only to appear as if something was done
- fundamental
affects the core or basis of something
- structural
changes that alter how something is built or organised
- substantive
having real importance or meaning
文法句型
cosmetic + noun (change/repair/alteration/fix)
用法筆記
This figurative sense is often paired with nouns that describe fixes, changes, or adjustments. It implies criticism: the change is shallow or misleading. For the literal meaning of the adjective relating to beauty products, see adjective sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. describing medical operations or treatments that change how a part of the body l
整形的
以手術或療程改善身體外觀
describing medical operations or treatments that change how a part of the body looks, by altering its shape, size, or structure
After the accident, Amara consulted a cosmetic surgeon about a small scar on her upper lip.
意外發生後，Amara 諮詢了一位整形外科醫師，討論上唇的小疤痕如何處理。
collocation: cosmetic surgeon
Zara's cousin flew to Seoul for a cosmetic procedure to reshape her nose without an overnight stay.
Zara 的表姊飛到首爾接受整形療程來調整鼻型，而且不需要住院過夜。
The cosmetic surgery clinic in Bangkok offered payment plans spread over three years.
曼谷那家整形外科診所提供可分期三年繳清的付款方案。
Javier decided against cosmetic work on his forehead, accepting the lines as part of growing older.
Javier 決定不在額頭上做整形，選擇接受那些紋路是變老的一部分。
Some cosmetic treatments, like laser resurfacing, need several sessions before the full result shows.
有些整形療程，像是雷射換膚，需要進行數次才能看到完整的效果。
- reconstructive
surgery to restore function or repair damage, not just for appearance
- medically necessary
procedures required for health rather than optional appearance changes
文法句型
cosmetic surgery
cosmetic procedure / operation
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'surgery' as a compound noun ('cosmetic surgery'). Unlike adjective sense 1, this sense is specifically medical and always refers to a clinical procedure performed by a qualified professional. Not all cosmetic procedures involve cutting — the term also covers injectables, laser treatments, and similar non-invasive options.