aesthetics

or es·thet·ics

[ es-thet-iksor, especially British, ees- ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic, etc., as applicable to the fine arts, with a view to establishing the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art, and the principles underlying or justifying such judgments.
2. the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the sense of beauty.

aesthetics

/ iːsˈθɛtɪks; ɪs- /

noun

1. the branch of philosophy concerned with the study of such concepts as beauty, taste, etc
2. the study of the rules and principles of art

aesthetics

1. The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of art and with judgments concerning beauty. “What is art?” and “What do we mean when we say something is beautiful?” are two questions often asked by aestheticians.

Notes

The term aesthete is sometimes used negatively to describe someone whose pursuit of beauty is excessive or appears phony.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aesthetics¹

First recorded in 1815–25; aesthetic, -ics

Word History and Origins

Origin of aesthetics¹

C18: from Greek aisthētikos perceptible by the senses, from aisthesthai to perceive

Example Sentences

The Atlanta rapper has accomplished something comparable to what Tyler, the Creator has done in L.A. over the years — build a self-contained universe around the intersection of uncompromising hip-hop, “Hesher” dirtbag aesthetics and avant-garde fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

The next year, China banned “sissy men and other abnormal aesthetics” from broadcast television.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s food that pushes the boundaries of art and aesthetics while still remaining true to its traditional flavors.

From Salon

The electronic drops, the punk-goth aesthetics, the sounds of keyboards and drum machines — such musical ingredients reflected a time of nostalgia as well as revolution.

From Los Angeles Times

The first one closely followed traditional comic aesthetics and the second was a Day of the Dead-inspired cover that fully represented his vision.

From Los Angeles Times