airbrush

American  

[air-bruhsh] / ˈɛərˌbrʌʃ /

noun

1. an atomizer for spraying paint.

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verb (used with object)

1. to paint or decorate, using an airbrush.

   to airbrush murals; to airbrush silk kimonos.

2. to remove or alter by or as by means of an airbrush.

   to airbrush facial lines from a photograph.

3. to prettify or sanitize.

   airbrushed versions of modern history.

airbrush British  

/ ˈɛəˌbrʌʃ /

noun

1. an atomizer for spraying paint or varnish by means of compressed air

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verb

1. to paint or varnish (something) by using an airbrush

2. to improve the image of (a person or thing) by concealing defects beneath a bland exterior

   an airbrushed version of the government's record

Etymology

Origin of airbrush

First recorded in 1885–90; air ¹ + brush ¹

Example Sentences

"We cannot airbrush French Jews out of the republic's family photo".

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Tennis Association has asked carriers to airbrush the reaction, tennis scribe Ben Rothenberg reported –Alcaraz-Sinner has become the best theater in sports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 7, 2025

Working in both oil and acrylic, she has experimented with different ways of applying and adjusting paint, sometimes using a silicone dish sponge, other times creatively wielding an airbrush.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2024

DUP assembly member Emma Little-Pengelly said the bill "plays into the hands of those who want to airbrush the past".

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2023

“We don’t do just regular face painting — we call it airbrush face art,” said Livier Vera López, Ruben López’s wife and business partner.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2022