makeup

1 of 2

noun

make·​up ˈmāk-ˌəp How to pronounce makeup (audio)
variants or less commonly make-up
plural makeups also make-ups
1
a
: the way in which the parts or ingredients of something are put together : composition
the ethnic makeup of the neighborhood
b
: physical, mental, and moral constitution
His daring attitude toward risks is a major part of his makeup.
2
a
: the operation of making up especially pages for printing
b
: design or layout of printed matter
3
a(1)
: cosmetics (such as lipstick, mascara, and eye shadow) used to color and beautify the face
(2)
: a cosmetic applied to other parts of the body
leg makeup for a tanned appearance
b
: materials (such as wigs and cosmetics) used in making up or in special costuming (as for a play)
4
: replacement
specifically : material added (as in a manufacturing process) to replace material that has been used up
makeup water
5
: something that makes up for a previous postponement, omission, failure, or deficiency
a makeup exam

make up

2 of 2

verb

made up; making up; makes up

transitive verb

1
a
: to form by fitting together or assembling
make up a train of cars
b
: to arrange typeset matter in (columns or pages) for printing
2
a
: to combine to produce (a sum or whole)
b
: constitute, compose
10 chapters make up this volume
3
a
: to compensate for (something, such as a deficiency or omission)
make up the difference in lost pay
b
: to do or take in order to correct an omission
make up a history exam
4
: settle, decide
made up my mind to depart
5
: to wrap or fasten up
make the books up into a parcel
6
a
: to prepare in physical appearance for a role
b
: to apply cosmetics to
7
a
: invent, improvise
make up a story
b
: to set in order
rooms are made up daily

intransitive verb

1
: to become reconciled
quarreled but later made up
2
a
: to act ingratiatingly and flatteringly
made up to his aunt for a new bicycle
b
: to make advances : court
3
: compensate
make up for lost time
4
a
: to put on costumes or makeup (as for a play)
b
: to apply cosmetics

Examples of makeup in a Sentence

Noun His daring attitude toward risks is a major part of his makeup. She put on some makeup before the party. She applied her makeup lightly. She's too young to wear makeup. put on makeup for a play I didn't recognize him when he was in his theatrical makeup. Verb the book is made up of 20 chapters she keeps making up excuses as to why she hasn't yet finished the project
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Her makeup included a nude lipstick and a light neutral eyeshadow look that included dark eyeliner around her eyes. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 That’s a logical trade partner makeup for a Burns swap. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Jessica Chastain, ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ (2022) Even with a makeup job and wardrobe that grow gaudier through the biopic, Chastain does a heavenly job playing real-life televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Display fancy perfume bottles, acrylic makeup organizers, and beautiful jewelry boxes. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 Sheer black hose make any outfit sultry, and skin-color ones are like leg makeup. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Chartered jets from New Delhi and Mumbai were made available to guests, Reuters said, as were the services of hair stylists, makeup artists and drapists. Oscar Holland, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 The makeup put the focus on her eyes through a dramatic black cat-eye. Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2024 Generally not-for-profit corporations must have governing boards, but details on the makeup of such a structure have not been shared with the public. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
In 2012, rock made up 20 entries in the Top 25, while pop only had two entries. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024 China is one of Apple’s most important overseas markets, making up almost 30% of total iPhone sales in 2023. Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Also, if those shares sold under a certain price, Alfi would have to make up the difference. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Instead, Congress passed the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act in 1988, recognizing that a supplemental water supply needed to be supplied to the tribes to make up for 16,000 acre-feet of water lost each year from the river. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 Although a heatwave and dry period in June of the growing season delayed berry growth, heavy rains in July and August and intermittent hot days with intense sunlight helped to make up the difference. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 This can require a significant bankroll to keep you going during a long streak of losses, but the eventual win can make up for it in the long run. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 But nothing could make up for the time parents would have to spend away from their children, whose lives are precarious and often short. Ted Alcorn Kaiti Sullivan, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Indians have come to make up the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2021 estimates, which put the number of such Indians at 725,000. Karishma Mehrotra, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'makeup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of makeup was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near makeup

Cite this Entry

“Makeup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/makeup. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

makeup

1 of 2 noun
make·​up ˈmā-ˌkəp How to pronounce makeup (audio)
1
: the way the parts or elements of something are put together : composition
the makeup of a newspaper
2
a
: any of various cosmetics (as lipstick or powder)
b
: materials (as wigs or cosmetics) used in making up
put on makeup for a play
too young to wear makeup

make up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)mā-ˈkəp
1
: to form by fitting together or assembling
make up a suit
make up a train
2
: compose sense 1b
chapters make up a book
3
: to make good for something lacking or for a loss or injury
4
: decide sense 3, settle
made up my mind to go
5
a
: to create from the imagination : invent
make up a story
b
: to set in order
rooms are made up daily
6
: to become friendly again
they fought and made up
7
a
: to put on costumes or makeup (as for a play)
made up as a clown
b
: to apply cosmetics to

More from Merriam-Webster on makeup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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