makeover

[ meyk-oh-ver ]

/ ˈmeɪkˌoʊ vər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for makeover on Thesaurus.com

noun

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?

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of makeover

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase make over

Words nearby makeover

make one's point, make one's way, make-or-break, make out, make out like a bandit, makeover, make-peace, maker, make-ready, make rounds, maker's mark

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use makeover in a sentence

I wanted to do the “everyone’s at a ball and Harrow’s received a makeover.”
How Gideon the Ninth author Tamsyn Muir queers the space opera|Constance Grady|February 5, 2021|Vox
Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe just got a makeover for the 21st century — and we made it betterYou can buy cardamom already ground, or grind it yourself using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.
Make fragrant, floral cardamom your spice of the season with these 6 recipes|Kari Sonde|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
The four-year investment, announced in 2016, was intended to upgrade the customer experience with new ATMs, new digital tools, and branch makeovers.
How Jane Fraser broke banking’s highest glass ceiling|Claire Zillman, reporter|October 19, 2020|Fortune
Creating a joyful home office entails a physical and mental makeover.
How to design a happy home office|Anne Quito|September 20, 2020|Quartz

Inside, the cabin gets a much-needed makeover, filled with high-quality materials, optional 8-inch touchscreen and a racy flat-bottom steering wheel.
Snazzy sedans and comfort rides|Joe Phillips|September 19, 2020|Washington Blade
Little did he know that Jimmy had other plans, including some makeover advice.
Viral Video of the Day: Jared Leto Tries a New Barber|Jack Holmes|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tracie Egan Morissey, who gets the byline for “Disney Dudes' Dicks,” slammed the “makeover.”
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It was like an extreme lifestyle makeover on speed,” Anderson told the The New York Times.
Feeding Diddy’s Art Addiction: How Maria Brito Buys Art for Celebrites|Justin Jones|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is getting a makeover.
The Met Dedicates Costume Center to Anna Wintour|The Fashion Beast Team|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is quite a makeover for the country that once claimed to be the vanguard of worldwide communist revolution.
Paleocons for Putin|James Kirchick|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Death Waits had been his Judas goat for the Fantasyland goth makeover.
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for makeover

make over

verb (tr, adverb)

to transfer the title or possession of (property, etc)

to renovate or remodelshe made over the dress to fit her sister

noun makeover (ˈmeɪkˌəʊvə)

a complete remodelling

a series of alterations, including beauty treatments and new clothes, intended to make a noticeable improvement in a person's appearance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with makeover

make over

Redo, renovate, as in We're making over the playroom into an additional bedroom. [Late 1600s]

Change or transfer ownership, usually through a legal document, as in She made over the house to her daughter. This usage was first recorded in 1546.