do up

verb

did up; done up; doing up; does up
Synonyms of do upnext

transitive verb

1
: fasten
do up the buttons of a shirt
… an elderly lady with her jacket done up tightly against the wind …Sue Lloyd-Roberts
2
a
: to deck (someone) out : clothe
The waitstaff was done up in western attire.
b
: to furnish (something) with something ornamental : decorate
She always does up the house for the holidays.
3
: to prepare (something) for wear or use (as by cleaning or repairing)
"… I'll make the pies and lady fingers tomorrow and do up my white muslin dress. …"Lucy Maud Montgomery
4
a
: to wrap (something) up
do up a package
b
: to prepare and preserve (something) for later use : can entry 2, put up
I did up a bushel of tomatoes.
5
: exhaust, wear out
This contact with righteousness has about done me up!Sinclair Lewis

Examples of do up in a Sentence

the whole house had been done up for Halloween on Wild West Day some of the women came to the office done up as showgirls, while the men were mostly outlaws
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Need some classic rock (done up Broadway style)? Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026 The former, which is stunt car number three from filming, is done up in a Lamborghini Diablo Candy Pearl Orange, while the latter is finished in glossy black and chrome. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2026 Adding a daybed in gingham, especially one done up in the coastal blue Perennials upholstery that winks at Dorothy’s iconic dress, is a clever way to play up the timeless print when brainstorming a new bedroom furniture layout. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Feb. 2026 But no one expected the legendary diva, done up in one of her signature ball gowns, to kick off her heels and run across the arena in her bare feet. Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for do up

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of do up was in 1666

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Do up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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