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aesthetics

C2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /iːsθˈɛtɪks/

US

  • /ɛsˈθɛtɪks/

Description

Aesthetics is the study or appreciation of beauty, art, and taste. If someone talks about the aesthetics of a room, a film, or a website, they mean the way it looks and feels.

Aesthetics can sound formal, as when philosophers ask why certain paintings, songs, or buildings move us. But it also appears in everyday talk: "The cafe has warm lighting and vintage furniture; I love its aesthetics." In that sense, aesthetics means the overall style or visual mood of something. A person might prefer clean, minimalist aesthetics, while another loves bold colors, cluttered walls, and dramatic shapes. In beauty and wellness, aesthetics can also refer to treatments or practices focused on appearance, such as skincare or cosmetic procedures.

Examples

  1. 1

    Visual appeal

    The restaurant’s lighting and furniture create warm, inviting aesthetics.

  2. 2

    Particular style

    The film has a dark aesthetic inspired by old detective stories.

    • Grammar

      An aesthetic is one particular style, while aesthetics can refer more generally to appearance and design.

  3. 3

    Design priorities

    The team improved the website’s aesthetics without making it harder to use.

  4. 4

    Personal taste

    People often disagree about aesthetics, even when they value the same practical features.

  5. 5

    Artistic principles

    The movement rejected traditional aesthetics and experimented with new forms of art.

  6. 6

    Academic field

    She studies aesthetics and the philosophy of art at university.

    • Domain

      In philosophy, aesthetics examines beauty, art, and artistic experience.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • aestheticsnoun