- 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:
He added: "As the 007 team themselves have explained, external in the past: 'Bond screen tests are elaborate affairs involving hair and make-up, costumes, sets, and other actors'."
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
Bollywood actress Richa Chadha, meanwhile, offered other tips to avoid detention while filming herself drawing on her face with make-up on Sunday.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 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
What I remember now, most of all, is the make-up.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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We need to reemphasize how tall an order this is, and the amount of ground Democrats need to make up relative to 2024.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
"Other Christians" including evangelicals account for 13 percent, while other religions make up seven percent.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
Analysts polled by FactSet are currently expecting $30.54 billion in full-year product sales, which make up the vast majority of Gilead’s top line.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Data shows that undertrial prisoners - individuals who are detained while they await police investigation or court trials - make up more than 73% of India's total prison population.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
My teacher, Helen Tarrana, was good about letting me make up the time I lost.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
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