Aesthetics vs. Esthetics

Main Difference

Both these words, aesthetics and esthetics have been confusing people since long as many beliefs that they are the words used in different fields and similarly carry distinguishable meaning. But that is exactly wrong to say as both the words are identical in every way and embody the similar idea. The only notable difference between both these terms is that Aesthetic is the word used in British English, whereas Esthetics is the word used in American English. So with this one thing is clear that they have spelling difference due to their usage in different types of English languages. The difference between aesthetics and esthetics is very similar to the difference between color and colour, which also hails due to their usage in British or English language.

Aesthetics vs. Esthetics — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Aesthetics and Esthetics

Aesthetics vs. Esthetics

Aesthetic is the word used in British English, whereas Esthetics is the word used in American English.

Aesthetics vs. Esthetics

Both these words are derived from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, which themselves were inspired from the Greek word aisthetikos meaning sensitive or sensory.

Aesthetics vs. Esthetics

Very similar to the aesthetics (British English), aesthetics is the word associated with the outer beauty and its appreciation.

Aesthetics vs. Esthetics

The other usage of these terms is that they are one of the five major branches of philosophy that deals with study of art and pleasuring one through his/her five senses.

Aestheticsnoun

The study or philosophy of beauty.

Estheticsnoun

(American spelling) aesthetics

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Aestheticsnoun

(art) the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste (emphasizing the evaluative criteria that are applied to art);

traditional aesthetics assumed the existence of universal and timeless criteria of artistic value

Estheticsnoun

(art) the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste (emphasizing the evaluative criteria that are applied to art);

traditional aesthetics assumed the existence of universal and timeless criteria of artistic value

Comparison Chart

AestheticsEsthetics
Aesthetic is the word used in British English.Esthetics is the word used in American English.
How long?
The word aesthetics is in practice since late 18th century.The word esthetics is said to be a modern day word, as it was first used in around 1960's.
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What is Aesthetics?

Aesthetics is the word is concerned with the beauty or taste of particular thing or person. The word aesthetic is most primarily used for something that attracts our looks appealing to our senses. It is widely used to express the outer beauty of an object or person. The word is quite popular in the fashion and modeling industry where looking attractive is the sole purpose. The experts of aesthetics are called aestheticians and they pursue their career under the branch of cosmetology, which is related to the knowledge of beautifying the face, skin and hairs. The term aesthetic pleasure is often used, it actually refers to that how people experience beauty and gets that appealing through senses. The words aesthetics is said to be derived from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, which themselves were inspired from the Greek word aisthetikos meaning sensitive or sensory. It has exactly the same meaning and usage like esthetics, the only difference is that this term is used in British language.

What is Esthetics?

Very similar to the aesthetics (British English), aesthetics is the word associated with the outer beauty and its appreciation. Esthetics is the word used in American English for such expression or meaning. As we know that there are dozens of word having similar meaning but having different spellings due to their belonging to different types of English, American English and British English. The above given explanation for aesthetics also comply with esthetics. The other usage of these terms, which isn’t discussed yet is that it is one of the five major branches of philosophy that deals with study of art and pleasuring one through his/her five senses. The words esthetics is said to be derived from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, which themselves were inspired from the Greek word aisthetikos meaning sensitive or sensory.