What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cosmetically
Example
She applied the foundation cosmetically to even out her skin tone. [cosmetically: adverb]
Example
The dentist suggested a cosmetic procedure to whiten his teeth. [cosmetic: adjective]
ornamentally
Example
The vase was placed ornamentally on the shelf to add some color to the room. [ornamentally: adverb]
Example
The gate had ornamental ironwork that added to its visual appeal. [ornamental: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cosmetically is more commonly used than ornamentally in everyday language, especially in the context of beauty or medical treatments. Ornamentally is less common and is more likely to be used in design or architecture contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cosmetically and ornamentally?
Both cosmetically and ornamentally are relatively formal words, but cosmetically is more commonly used in medical or beauty contexts, which may make it seem less formal in those contexts.
