No, “aesthetic” is generally just a noun, historically. As in “it has a modern/minimalist/cyberpunk aesthetic.” Its usage as an adjective just means “relating to the general idea of aesthetics as a field of study,” or “someone with a strong sense of and attunement to the design and beauty of things.” Using it to just mean “beautiful,” basically, is a new usage in just the last 5 years or less.
There was a viral short featuring someone using it wrong, a bunch of younger people cribbed from the video and started using it wrong.
Okay, just so I don’t get annoyed and be boomery about it, what is the new incorrect usage?
Using it as an adjective, to mean “has a pleasing aesthetic.”
It’s a lot more understandable when you think of it as an abbreviated form of “This is very aesthetic(ally pleasing).”
Isn’t that the proper usage?
No, “aesthetic” is generally just a noun, historically. As in “it has a modern/minimalist/cyberpunk aesthetic.” Its usage as an adjective just means “relating to the general idea of aesthetics as a field of study,” or “someone with a strong sense of and attunement to the design and beauty of things.” Using it to just mean “beautiful,” basically, is a new usage in just the last 5 years or less.