adjective

aesthetic

/esˈθɛtɪk/ · say it: es·THET·ik

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of art

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (adjective) concerned with beauty or the appearance of something

2. (adjective) pleasing to look at; beautiful or artistic in style

3. (noun) a set of principles about beauty and artistic style

Examples

1. The interior designer made aesthetic choices to make the room look modern.
2. The minimalist apartment had a clean, aesthetic appeal.
3. Many young people share a similar aesthetic on social media.

How to use aesthetic

As an adjective, aesthetic describes something's visual or artistic qualities, often emphasizing the deliberate consideration of beauty rather than mere attractiveness. It is commonly used in art, design, and philosophy contexts. The noun form refers to a cohesive set of artistic principles or style, as in 'minimalist aesthetic' or 'industrial aesthetic.'

Common phrases

aesthetic appeal
aesthetic value
aesthetic judgment
aesthetic experience
pure aesthetic
aesthetic choice

Synonyms

artistic · beautiful · pleasing · stylish · attractive

Opposites

ugly · unattractive · plain

Word family

aesthete · aesthetically · aestheticism · aesthetics

A common mistake

Learners often confuse aesthetic (relating to beauty or art) with ascetic (relating to self-denial or simplicity in lifestyle), which are quite different in meaning despite their similar pronunciation.

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