makeover
Americannoun
-
a remodeling; renovation; restoration.
The old house needs a complete makeover.
-
a thorough course of beauty and cosmetic treatments.
Assistants spent four hours on the actress's makeover in preparation for the awards ceremony.
-
a change made in one’s life or lifestyle.
Does your career or marriage need a makeover?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of makeover
First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase make over
Explanation
While it often describes transforming a person's appearance with a new hairstyle and clothing, the term makeover can also refer to updating anything, such as adding fresh paint and modern features to an old house. The idea behind a makeover is to refresh and improve, bringing about a new and enhanced appearance. For instance, a local library might receive a makeover in the form of new furniture, an expanded collection of books, and new technology for visitors. On the other hand, a makeover for a person might include a haircut, an updated wardrobe, and other changes meant to enhance their physical appearance.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In the end, Price’s designer makeover came at the perfect time, concluding just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the family forced to quarantine inside the dwelling for weeks on end.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
This makeover is getting added attention because it comes at a crucial time for monetary policy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
It's a radical makeover for a Soviet-style state completely devoid of advertising, where for over half a century the state dominated nearly every sphere of activity, from industry to agriculture to the restaurant trade.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
In the weeks since the Reflecting Pool’s makeover went south, many have seized what is a rich and slimy opportunity for metaphor.
From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026
It was like the makeover scenes in my American movies, where they take the dorky guy or girl, fix the hair and change the clothes, and the ugly duckling becomes the swan.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
Water Street in lower Manhattan has been a popular area for the makeovers, earning it the nickname "Conversion Alley," with buildings offering a mix of luxury and affordably-priced apartments to qualify for municipal abatements.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
This was a crucial perspective given that pop culture of the 2000s went all in on makeovers, for better and worse.
From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2026
Bobby Berk, an interior designer and TV personality, is known for elaborate and thoughtful home makeovers on shows such as “Queer Eye.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
Benjy said the makeover was "one of the best makeovers out of all the seasons of Drag Race".
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2025
If this trip was going to include makeovers, maybe I’d underestimated fishing.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
