airbrush

1 of 2

noun

air·​brush ˈer-ˌbrəsh 

: an atomizer for applying by compressed air a fine spray (as of paint or liquid color)

airbrush

2 of 2

verb

airbrushed; airbrushing; airbrushes

transitive verb

: to paint, treat, or alter (as to conceal imperfections) with or as if with an airbrush

airbrush a photograph

Examples of airbrush in a Sentence

Verb

That photograph must have been airbrushed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This lightweight gel provides the look of bare skin, with a natural airbrush glow thanks to reflective minerals like mica and titanium dioxide. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 May 2025

To achieve hearts like the ones shown above, Robles uses an airbrush system like the Japanese Airtex Airgel. —Thalía Henao, Allure, 11 Apr. 2025

Verb

Ultimately, what you’re left with is a truer account of a person’s life, one not airbrushed by their public relations team, one not bleached of anything unsavory. —Brendan O’Meara 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

The look is overly slick in that everyone looks too bright and airbrushed to be real, yet also drab in that the backdrops of this supposedly luxe mansion feel cheap and generic. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing airbrush

• airbrush out

Rhymes for airbrush

• hairbrush
• inrush
• onrush
• paintbrush
• sagebrush
• blush
• brush
• crush
• flush
• gush
• hush
• lush

Kids Definition

airbrush

noun

air·​brush

ˈa(ə)r-ˌbrəsh,

ˈe(ə)r-

: a device that uses compressed air to apply a liquid (as paint or a protective coating) as a fine spray

airbrush verb