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• make-up
  make-up

  noun

  cosmetics, such as powder, lipstick, etc, applied to the face to improve its appearance
• make up
  make up

  Put together, construct or compose, as in The druggist made up the prescription , or The tailor said he could make up a suit from this fabric . This usage was first recorded in 1530.

make-up

British  

noun

1. cosmetics, such as powder, lipstick, etc, applied to the face to improve its appearance

2. 1. the cosmetics, false hair, etc, used by an actor to highlight his features or adapt his appearance

   2. the art or result of applying such cosmetics

3. the manner of arrangement of the parts or qualities of someone or something

4. the arrangement of type matter and illustrations on a page or in a book

5. mental or physical constitution

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verb

1. (tr) to form or constitute

   these arguments make up the case for the defence

2. (tr) to devise, construct, or compose, sometimes with the intent to deceive

   to make up a song

   to make up an excuse

3. (tr) to supply what is lacking or deficient in; complete

   these extra people will make up our total

4. (tr) to put in order, arrange, or prepare

   to make up a bed

5. to compensate or atone (for)

   his kindness now makes up for his rudeness yesterday

6. to settle (differences) amicably (often in the phrase make it up )

7. to apply cosmetics to (the face) to enhance one's appearance or so as to alter the appearance for a theatrical role

8. to assemble (type and illustrations) into (columns or pages)

9. (tr) to surface (a road) with asphalt, concrete, etc

10. (tr)

    1. to set in order and balance (accounts)

    2. to draw up (accounting statements)

11. to decide (about something or to do something)

    he made up his mind to take vengeance

12. informal

    1. to make friendly overtures to

    2. to flirt with

make up Idioms  

1. Put together, construct or compose, as in The druggist made up the prescription , or The tailor said he could make up a suit from this fabric . This usage was first recorded in 1530.

2. Constitute, form, as in One hundred years make up a century . [Late 1500s]

3. Change one's appearance; apply cosmetics. For example, He made himself up as an old man . [c. 1800]

4. Devise a fiction or falsehood; invent. For example, Mary is always making up stories for her children , or Is that account true or did you make it up? This usage was first recorded in 1828.

5. Compensate for, provide for a deficiency, as in Can you make up the difference in the bill? or What he lacks in height he makes up in skill . This usage was first recorded in 1538. Also see make up for lost time .

6. Repeat a course, take a test or do an assignment at a later time because of previous absence or failure. For example, Steve will have to make up calculus this summer , or The professor is letting me make up the exam tomorrow .

7. Also, make it up . Resolve a quarrel, as in The Sweeneys argue a lot but they always make up before going to sleep , or Will you two ever make it up? The first usage was first recorded in 1699, the variant in 1669.

8. Put in order, as in We asked them to make up the room for us , or Can you make up another bed in this room? [Early 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with make up .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

make-up make up

A Traitors superfan, the 30-year-old was known not only for her bright make-up and outfits, but also for speaking openly about her stammer.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

Mak says the tool was "surprisingly consistent" across common real-world photos despite variations in pose, lighting, facial expression and make-up.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

"Dear protesters, since you're being filmed without your consent, try using make-up to dodge surveillance/facial recognition cameras," she said on social media.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Around 10-15% of people with stage two or three bowel cancer have this genetic make-up, equivalent to roughly 2,000-3,000 cases each year in the UK.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

For generations his ancestors had been bred to retrieve without harming, and there was nothing of the hunter in his make-up; as yet, any killing was abhorrent to him.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford

"Other Christians" including evangelicals account for 13 percent, while other religions make up seven percent.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

He said the firm would cover all losses from its emergency reserve set up for such situations, and make up the rest with company funds.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

They make up much of Earth's mantle and crust.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

There were indications that Israeli Arabs, who make up around one-fifth of the total population and about 17% of eligible voters, were voting in historically large numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

He knew how they could make up the last bit of money.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

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