touch-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈtəch-ˌəp 

: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2

verb

touched up; touching up; touches up

transitive verb

1

: to improve or perfect by small additional strokes or alterations : fix the minor and usually visible defects or damages of

2

: to stimulate by or as if by a flick of a whip

Examples of touch-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The brand also sells a portable mini stick for travel or midday touch-ups. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026

The 22 makeup, hair, body, and skin Splurges winning Allure Beauty of Beauty Awards turn our daily routines and makeup touch-ups into occasions in their own right. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

Mirrored walls offered guests the perfect excuse to snap a quick selfie or touch up their lip gloss. — Simone Cook, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

It should be noted that the finish was touched up during a 2014 refurbishment and is not original. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1733, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for touch-up

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

Kids Definition

touch-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈtəch-ˌəp

: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)təch-ˈəp

: to improve by or as if by small changes : fix the little imperfections of