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Cosmo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “world” or “universe.” In some cases, it represents “outer space.”

Cosmo- comes from the Greek ��ó�����Dz�, variously meaning “order, good order, government, world order, the universe.” The Greek ��ó�����Dz� is ultimately the source of the English words cosmos, cosmic, cosmopolitan, and cosmetics, among others. What does makeup have to do with the universe? Find out at our entry for the word.

What are variants of cosmo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, cosmo- becomes cosm-, as in cosmism.

When used as the final element of a compound word, cosmo- becomes -cosm, as is microcosm.

A word you may be familiar with that features cosmo- is cosmology, a branch of philosophy and astronomy that deals with the origin and structure of the universe. Some serious out-of-this-world stuff.

As we’ve seen, cosmo- means “universe.” The second part, -logy, comes from the Greek ��ó���Dz�, meaning “word” and widely used in English to indicate an area of study. Cosmology, then, literally translates to “the study of the universe.”

What are some words that use the combining form cosmo-?

• cosmochemistry
• cosmodrome (from Russian ��Dz����ǻ��ó��)
• cosmogony
• cosmopography
• cosmonaut (based on Russian ��Dz����Dz�á����)
• cosmopotron

What are some other forms that cosmo- may be commonly confused with?

• cost-
• costo-

Similar to cosmo- is the combining form astro- (think astronaut). Learn more in our �y��vlogs That Use astro- article.

The combining form -gony means “production, genesis, origination.” What is cosmogony a theory or story of?