- a variation of makeup.
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make-up
make-upnouncosmetics, such as powder, lipstick, etc, applied to the face to improve its appearance
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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
Britishnoun
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cosmetics, such as powder, lipstick, etc, applied to the face to improve its appearance
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the cosmetics, false hair, etc, used by an actor to highlight his features or adapt his appearance
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the art or result of applying such cosmetics
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the manner of arrangement of the parts or qualities of someone or something
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the arrangement of type matter and illustrations on a page or in a book
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mental or physical constitution
verb
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(tr) to form or constitute
these arguments make up the case for the defence
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(tr) to devise, construct, or compose, sometimes with the intent to deceive
to make up a song
to make up an excuse
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(tr) to supply what is lacking or deficient in; complete
these extra people will make up our total
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(tr) to put in order, arrange, or prepare
to make up a bed
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to compensate or atone (for)
his kindness now makes up for his rudeness yesterday
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to settle (differences) amicably (often in the phrase make it up )
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to apply cosmetics to (the face) to enhance one's appearance or so as to alter the appearance for a theatrical role
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to assemble (type and illustrations) into (columns or pages)
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(tr) to surface (a road) with asphalt, concrete, etc
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(tr)
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to set in order and balance (accounts)
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to draw up (accounting statements)
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to decide (about something or to do something)
he made up his mind to take vengeance
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informal
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to make friendly overtures to
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to flirt with
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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.
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Constitute, form, as in One hundred years make up a century . [Late 1500s]
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Change one's appearance; apply cosmetics. For example, He made himself up as an old man . [c. 1800]
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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.
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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 .
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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 .
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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.
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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 .
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:
However, Western officials could not comment on the final make-up and shape of the force that could be deployed to Ukraine if the fighting stops.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
"I expected a physical game," Maresca said of his midfield make-up.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
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
Of course, I was a little behind, but Ms. Harris had all the teachers create make-up assignments for me so that I could catch up on the work I missed.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
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These electrically charged gases make up the Sun, are used in nuclear fusion experiments, and occupy much of the space between stars.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026
Gross warned that Dr Seuss films don't typically perform well outside the United States, but may be able to make up for that by earning money on streaming platforms or through television rights.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2026
Still, handsets make up most of the company’s chipset sales, Rasgon said, and the supply chain “seems to indicate a markedly worsening environment given the current memory dynamics.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
But he warned that Arab Israelis - who make up about one fifth of the population and often refer to themselves as Palestinian citizens of Israel - "must not be smeared".
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
This was exactly what I needed to make up for what I’d done and to show Ba that I had what it took to work in the store.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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