retouch

[ verb ree-tuhch; noun ree-tuhch, ree-tuhch ]
See synonyms for retouch on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to improve with new touches, highlights, or the like; touch up or rework, as a painting or makeup.

  2. Photography. to alter (a negative or positive) after development by adding or removing lines, lightening areas, etc., with a pencil, brush, or knife.

  1. to dye, tint, or bleach (a new growth of hair) to match or blend with the color of an earlier and previously dyed growth.

noun
  1. an added touch to a picture, painting, paint job, etc., by way of improvement or alteration.

  2. an act or instance of dyeing new growth of hair to blend with previously dyed hair.

Origin of retouch

1
1675–85; <Middle French retoucher, equivalent to re-re- + toucher to touch

Other words from retouch

  • re·touch·a·ble, adjective
  • re·touch·er, noun
  • un·re·touched, adjective

Words Nearby retouch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use retouch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for retouch

retouch

/ (riːˈtʌtʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to restore, correct, or improve (a painting, make-up, etc) with new touches

  2. photog to alter (a negative or print) by painting over blemishes or adding details

  1. to make small finishing improvements to

  2. archaeol to detach small flakes from (a stone) in order to make a tool

noun
  1. the art or practice of retouching

  2. a detail that is the result of retouching

  1. a photograph, painting, etc, that has been retouched

  2. archaeol fine percussion to shape flakes of stone into usable tools

Derived forms of retouch

  • retouchable, adjective
  • retoucher, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012