retouch

1 of 2

verb

re·​touch (ˌ)rē-ˈtəch 

retouched; retouching; retouches

transitive verb

1

: to rework in order to improve : touch up

2

: to alter (something, such as a photographic negative) to produce a more desirable appearance

3

: to color (new growth of hair) to match previously dyed, tinted, or bleached hair

intransitive verb

: to make or give retouches

retoucher noun

retouch

2 of 2

noun

re·​touch ˈrē-ˌtəch 

(ˌ)rē-ˈtəch

: the act or process or an instance of retouching

especially : the retouching of a new growth of hair

Examples of retouch in a Sentence

Verb

The photo had been retouched to remove the wrinkles around his eyes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For many, the perfect face is no longer born; it is built—designed by AI, refined by cosmetic surgery, retouched on photo-editing apps, and approved by dating algorithms. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025

My visit in February coincided with the end of the rain season, when the brightness of the paintings had dimmed, weathered by time and the elements, soon to be retouched. —Percy Zvomuya, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Noun

Lips and cheeks usually tend to wear off easily, so a quick retouch can bring your whole face back to light. —Vogue Club, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025

Color retouch costs range between $65 and $70 and bayalage or ombre are $150 and up. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French retoucher, from Middle French, from re- + toucher to touch

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1703, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retouch

• nonesuch
• clutch
• crutch
• cutch
• dutch
• hutch
• much
• mutch
• such
• touch
• insomuch
• overmuch

Kids Definition

retouch

verb

re·​touch

(ˈ)rē-ˈtəch

: touch up

especially : to change (as a photographic negative) in order to produce a more desirable appearance

retouch

ˈrē-ˌtəch

(ˈ)rē-ˈtəch

noun

retoucher

(ˈ)rē-ˈtəch-ər

noun