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
Recent Oscar winner Emma Stone was one of the first people to wear the new product, with her makeup artist using it on her ahead of the Producers Guild Awards. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 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. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 Mar. 2024 According to a spokesperson for Schneider, all costumes, storylines, makeup, and dialogue were approved by network executives on both coasts, a standards and practices team reviewed the scripts, and programming executives gave the thumbs up for all episodes. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 By comparison, Trump's primary voters more closely reflect the makeup of the GOP in terms of their party identification and conservative leanings. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, lavender water, barley extract Best For: All skin types How to Use: Spritz it onto skin after cleansing, or as needed to set makeup or boost hydration. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 According to a complaint filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, more than $300,000 worth of makeup and other products were found in Michelle Mack, 53, and Kenneth Mack's shared Bonsall home when a search warrant was served on Dec. 6, 2023. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 Below, the makeup artist lets ESSENCE in on all the tips and tricks to achieve the skinniest brows and her favorite products to do it with. Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 The rise of religious military academies like this one has dramatically changed the makeup of the army, said Levy, the sociologist. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
The beach offers the only free campsite along the entire 90 miles that make up the Big Sur shoreline. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 There are a lot of qualities that make up a good detective — tenacity, attention to detail, approachability — but Homicide reveals how important personal quirks can be to the work. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 The physical qubits that make up each virtual qubit are like those oblivious quantum spies. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 To many other researchers, creating a map of the 86 billion neurons, or nerve cells, that make up the brain would be considered a nearly insurmountable project. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024 Eight months later, Congress passed a law that called cancer a presumptive sickness for federal firefighters and mandated that the five agencies that make up the fire service file a report on illnesses, including cancer, in the profession. ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024 In Acadiana, the constellation of communities surrounding Lafayette that make up the heart of Cajun Louisiana, the smell of boils often wafts through neighborhoods. Rick Rojas Emily Kask, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The Galapagos Islands have been considered a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978 and are made up of 19 different islands, which sit about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 Switching airplane manufacturers isn’t easy for airlines, since pilots are certified on either Airbus or Boeing, who make up the duopoly. Krystal Hur, CNN, 15 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 29 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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