In a way intended to improve appearance superficially, or on the surface only.
From 'cosmetical' + '-ly' (adverb suffix), creating an adverb form.
When something is done 'cosmetically,' it's often dismissed as merely surface-level—but cosmetic changes in cities (fresh paint, new parks) have been shown by urban scientists to measurably improve mental health and reduce crime.
Cosmetics became coded as 'feminine' domain from 19th-century onward as beauty industries targeted women; 'cosmetically' absorbed this gendered assumption despite neutral etymology.
Use freely when discussing appearance modification without implying femininity; specify 'cosmetic changes' as neutral term for superficial adjustments across contexts.
["superficially","aesthetically","surface-level"]
Women entrepreneurs built the cosmetics industry (e.g., Helena Rubinstein, Estée Lauder); language should credit their economic and scientific contributions, not treat cosmetics as frivolous.
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