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
made up; making up; makes up
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
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
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
Synonyms
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
Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
For Kyra, trendy festival makeup is all about head turning eyes.
—Tira Urquhart, Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
Chic, circus-clown makeup (by Guy Common) shrouding the eyes of Redmayne and the limber ensemble suggests a sinister air of delirium as the principal players are introduced.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Ford a 'tremendous painter' Blake’s first book was about the actor and makeup artist Lon Chaney.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
In addition to Depp, the film stars Bill Skarsgård, trading in Pennywise’s clown makeup for Count Orlock’s razor-sharp fangs (he’s glimpsed from the back, hunching over in a bat-like crouch), as well as Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
The plaintiffs argued that the city violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment when commissioners fixated on preserving the ethnic makeup of the commission by using racial quotas to draw the voting map, packing Hispanic and Black voters into districts.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
While social media has had plenty to say about mixing and mingling for romantic purposes at the no-frills but delicious restaurant, that’s where celebrity makeup artist Lola and the man who would be her husband, George, had their first date.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
If all that counts is inward essence, what the hell were those teams of makeup artists, coiffeurs, and cinematographers employed by the major studios, in the golden age, doing all day?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
This year’s Peabody Award nominees are selected from stories and projects that were released in broadcast or steaming media in 2023 and chosen via unanimous vote by 32 jurors (made up of media industry professionals, media scholars, critics and journalists).
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
France made up less than 10 percent of LVMH’s sales, according to the report.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
In Grotius’s framework, these three offenses made up the only exceptions to a soldier’s license to kill.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Its hybrid cars, the first of which were launched in 2013, now make up about half of its sales.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024
Even as the Legislature approved new funding last year, some school district leaders warned mandates from the state would mean that cash could only do so much for schools — though DFL lawmakers and labor maintain the increases would make up for a decades-long decline in state aid.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2024
The works of writers and painters, musicians and moviemakers made up my childhood, have shaped my values.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
Is there any sense of wanting to make up for quote–unquote lost time?
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
Shop Allure Stay up to date on must-buy makeup, hair care, skin care, and more, plus reviews for award-winning products straight from Allure's editors.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
For Kyra, trendy festival makeup is all about head turning eyes.
—Tira Urquhart, Essence, 23 Apr. 2024
Chic, circus-clown makeup (by Guy Common) shrouding the eyes of Redmayne and the limber ensemble suggests a sinister air of delirium as the principal players are introduced.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Ford a 'tremendous painter' Blake’s first book was about the actor and makeup artist Lon Chaney.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
In addition to Depp, the film stars Bill Skarsgård, trading in Pennywise’s clown makeup for Count Orlock’s razor-sharp fangs (he’s glimpsed from the back, hunching over in a bat-like crouch), as well as Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
The plaintiffs argued that the city violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment when commissioners fixated on preserving the ethnic makeup of the commission by using racial quotas to draw the voting map, packing Hispanic and Black voters into districts.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
While social media has had plenty to say about mixing and mingling for romantic purposes at the no-frills but delicious restaurant, that’s where celebrity makeup artist Lola and the man who would be her husband, George, had their first date.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
If all that counts is inward essence, what the hell were those teams of makeup artists, coiffeurs, and cinematographers employed by the major studios, in the golden age, doing all day?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Across the country, branches of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), a group made up of local merchants and businessmen, agreed to help raise funds to train the young men.
—Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
This year’s Peabody Award nominees are selected from stories and projects that were released in broadcast or steaming media in 2023 and chosen via unanimous vote by 32 jurors (made up of media industry professionals, media scholars, critics and journalists).
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
France made up less than 10 percent of LVMH’s sales, according to the report.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
In Grotius’s framework, these three offenses made up the only exceptions to a soldier’s license to kill.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Its hybrid cars, the first of which were launched in 2013, now make up about half of its sales.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024
Even as the Legislature approved new funding last year, some school district leaders warned mandates from the state would mean that cash could only do so much for schools — though DFL lawmakers and labor maintain the increases would make up for a decades-long decline in state aid.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2024
The works of writers and painters, musicians and moviemakers made up my childhood, have shaped my values.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
Is there any sense of wanting to make up for quote–unquote lost time?
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near makeup
Cite this Entry
“Makeup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/makeup. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
makeup
1 of 2 noun
make·up
ˈmā-ˌkəp 
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
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