1. A change undertaken to improve the appearance of someone or something. This house certainly has a lot of character. A few cosmetic changes here and there will really make it stand out! The actor is rumored to have gone to a plastic surgeon to have some cosmetic changes made to his face. I think the office will be more inviting once we make some cosmetic changes, starting with a fresh coat of paint.

2. A trivial or inconsequential change to something that is made for the sake of appearances. I highly doubt that the scandal will lead to anything more substantial than cosmetic changes to deal with the company's problematic office culture. Probably little more than a public apology and mandatory sensitivity training for staff. Firing the abusive CEO is just a cosmetic change. It's literally the most basic step the company could have taken. I don't want to see dumb cosmetic changes posted on her social media accounts—I want to see evidence of real, substantive change and growth.