Aesthetic
/esˈθetɪk/
adjectivenounB2
Definition
Aesthetic means about how things look or feel beautiful or pleasing to the senses (like sight or touch). As an adjective, it describes something that has beauty or a style. As a noun, it refers to the idea or study of beauty and art.
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See It in Action
Related to beauty or style (adjective)
- •The room has an aesthetic design with soft colors.
- •She chose clothes that fit her aesthetic.
- •The building’s aesthetic is modern and clean.
The study or idea of beauty and art (noun)
- •He studies aesthetics in college.
- •Their aesthetic focuses on natural materials.
- •The artist’s aesthetic is very unique.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "aesthetic" like "beautiful" but more about style and feeling, not just pretty things
- ✓Picture a colorful painting or a nicely decorated room that makes you feel calm and happy
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you see something that looks good or fits a certain style you like
- ✓Sounds like "east-THET-ic" → imagine a peaceful EAST place with perfect order and beauty
- ✓Remember how people talk about "aesthetic Instagram photos"—pictures chosen because they look nice together
- ✓NOT like "ugly" (not pleasing to look at), "aesthetic" means something looks or feels good to senses
- ✓NOT like "simple" or "plain"—aesthetic things often have a special style or design
- ✓NOT like "art" only—art can be aesthetic, but aesthetic also means general beauty or style beyond art
Try Other Words
- •Artistic: related to art and creativity (Use when focusing on creative skill or making art)
- •Stylish: having a fashionable or attractive style (Use when talking about clothes or design that follows trends)
- •Visual: related to seeing or sight (Use when focusing on how something looks rather than its beauty)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Greek "aisthētikos" meaning "perceptible by the senses"
- •Etymology: Greek origin, related to perception and feeling through senses
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 18th century, originally about sensory experience and later about beauty and art
- •Modern usage: Used to describe beauty, style, and the study of art and design; common in art, fashion, and design fields
Reflect & Connect
•How do different cultures have different aesthetics, and what does that tell us about beauty?
•Can something be functional but not aesthetic? How important is appearance compared to use?
Fill in the blanks
1.People often choose clothes that match their ___ to feel confident and comfortable.
2.The artist’s ___ is visible in every painting, showing a unique style.
3.A room’s aesthetic can ___ how people feel when they enter it, like calm or excitement.
4.Unlike simple decoration, an aesthetic design has ___ thought and style behind it.
5.She studies ___ to understand why some things look more beautiful than others.
6.When something is practical but not ___, people might still use it but not enjoy looking at it.
7.The word "aesthetic" often pairs with ___ words like "appeal," "sense," or "value."