make up

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

Synonyms of make up

• offset
• correct
• compensate (for)
• neutralize

Examples of make up in a Sentence

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

Their ranks are largely made up of former Maoists and Adivasis, enlisted because of their familiarity with the region – and Naxal tactics. —Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

Southwest makes up around 5% of all flights based on passenger count out of MIA, a jump from less than 1% in the previous year. —Ella Moore updated May 29, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

Tech companies now make up 15% of all ads on New York transit, and the sector is among the top categories for New York transit, along with medical and entertainment companies. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 29 May 2026

Today, women make up less than a quarter of the cybersecurity workforce. —Tarika Barrett, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for make up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids 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