beauty

[byoo-tee]

noun

plural

beauties 

1. the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

   Synonyms: allure, attractiveness, pulchritude

2. a beautiful person, especially a woman.

   Synonyms: belle

3. treatments and products that enhance a person’s physical attractiveness, or the industry associated with this.

   She left her career in business administration to pursue her passion in beauty and wellness.

4. a beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.

5. Often beauties. a beautiful feature or trait in nature or in some natural or artificial environment.

   the rugged beauties of our seashore and mountains.

6. an individually pleasing or beautiful quality; grace; charm.

   a vivid blue area that is the one real beauty of the painting.

7. Informal.,  a particular advantage.

   One of the beauties of this medicine is the freedom from aftereffects.

8. (often used ironically) someone or something that is extraordinary, remarkable, or amazing; a beaut.

   That sunburn is a real beauty!

9. something excellent of its kind.

   My old car, now she was a beauty.

adjective

1. relating to or being something intended to enhance a person’s physical attractiveness: Make time for yourself and book a relaxing beauty treatment in our first-class spa.

   They have a wonderful handcrafted line of natural beauty products, including soaps, lip balm, scented oils, and moisturizer.

   Make time for yourself and book a relaxing beauty treatment in our first-class spa.

beauty

/ ˈbjuːtɪ /

noun

1. the combination of all the qualities of a person or thing that delight the senses and please the mind

2. a very attractive and well-formed girl or woman

3. informal,  an outstanding example of its kind

   the horse is a beauty

4. informal,  an advantageous feature

   one beauty of the job is the short hours

5. informal,  a light-hearted and affectionate term of address

   hello, my old beauty!

interjection

1. Also (Scot, Austral, and NZ): you beauty. an expression of approval or agreement

Other Word Forms

• nonbeauty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beauty¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English be(a)ute, from Old French beaute; replacing Middle English bealte, from Old French beltet, from unattested Vulgar Latin bellitāt- (stem of unattested bellitās ), equivalent to Latin bell(us) “fine” + -itāt- noun suffix; -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of beauty¹

C13: from Old French biauté , from biau beautiful; see _beau

Idioms and Phrases

• that's the beauty of

Example Sentences

Effective public health messaging – which has drilled "Slip, Slop, Slap" into their heads – competes with a beauty culture which often idolises bronzed skin.

From BBC

Struggling health and beauty chain Bodycare says it will immediately shut 32 of its stores across the UK and make 450 staff redundant, after going into administration.

From BBC

“These guys have earned the right to be able to have that. ... There’s a beauty in what these guys can do.”

From Los Angeles Times

Armani, which began as a fashion company, expanded into beauty, fragrance, music, sport and even luxury hotels, while as a revered businessman, his company brought more than £2bn a year.

From BBC

American Eagle made headlines with its divisive "Great Jeans" ad for its denim line featuring Sweeney, sparking a debate over race and beauty standards.

From BBC

Related Words

• allure 
• charm 
• delicacy 
• elegance 
• good looks 
• grace 
• refinement 
• style