Jump To:

• touch-up
  touch-up

  noun

  an act or instance of touching up.
• touch up
  touch up

  verb

  to put extra or finishing touches to

touch-up

American  

[tuhch-uhp] / ˈtʌtʃˌʌp /

noun

1. an act or instance of touching up.

   Her makeup needed a touch-up.

---

touch up British  

verb

1. to put extra or finishing touches to

2. to enhance, renovate, or falsify by putting extra touches to

   to touch up a photograph

3. to stimulate or rouse as by a tap or light blow

4. slang to touch or caress (someone), esp to arouse sexual feelings

---

noun

1. a renovation or retouching, as of a painting

touch up Idioms  

1. Make minor changes or improvements, as in This wall needs some touching up but not complete repainting. [Early 1700s]

---

Etymology

Origin of touch-up

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase touch up

Example Sentences

But the team doesn’t just apply a flattering touch-up to sickly markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Hovering nearby is an entourage of about half a dozen people, including a makeup artist who’s primed to make Aguilar’s next touch-up.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2025

People aspire to capture their essence by wearing their fragrances and makeup, which Rihanna acknowledged by subtly promoting her Fenty cosmetics line mid-performance with an on-camera touch-up.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2023

Mohawk caters mostly to professionals but offers consumers some of its easier-to-use products, such as touch-up markers in various wood colors and fill sticks for repairing scratches.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2022

There were a few cracked ones on Grandma and Grandpop’s porch that could use a little touch-up, so maybe that’s what she was up to, Genie was thinking when Ernie slapped his arm.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds