plural airbrushes
: a device that is used to spray a liquid (such as paint) onto a surface
airbrushes; airbrushed; airbrushing
: to paint or treat (something, such as a photograph) with an airbrush especially to make improvements
That photograph must have been airbrushed.
The model's blemishes were airbrushed out in the photograph. [=an airbrush was used to change the photograph so that the model's blemishes could not be seen]
—sometimes used figurativelyThe authorities tried to airbrush out their mistake and pretend it had never happened.
Cite this Entry
“Airbrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/airbrush. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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