makeup

American  

[meyk-uhp] / ˈmeɪkˌʌp /

Or make-up

noun

1. facial cosmetics, as eye shadow or lipstick.

2. cosmetics used on other parts of the body, as to cover birthmarks.

3. the application of cosmetics.

4. the ensemble or effect created by such application.

   Her makeup was subtle but very effective.

5. the total ensemble of cosmetics, wigs, costumes, etc., used by an actor or other performer.

6. the manner of being made up or put together; composition.

   the makeup of a team; the makeup of a situation.

7. physical or mental constitution.

   the makeup of a criminal.

8. the art, technique, or process of arranging or laying out, as pages in a publication.

9. the appearance of a page, book, newspaper, or the like, resulting from the arrangement and the variation in size and style of the printed elements.

   The makeup would be helped by a picture in this corner.

10. Printing. the arrangement of set type, cuts, etc., into columns or pages.

11. an examination, assignment, or the like, given to offset a student's previous absence or failure.

12. an amount owed; balance.

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Other Word Forms

• nonmakeup adjective

Etymology

Origin of makeup

First recorded in 1805–15; noun use of verb phrase make up

Explanation

Your makeup is the sum of what makes you who you are, or the sum of what you smear on your face! You could say that your makeup is a combination of your parents' genes. Or, you could wear cosmetic makeup to accentuate those physical traits. Your makeup is every personality characteristic that, combined, form a unique person — but the makeup you put on your face can be used to disguise your real self a little bit. This kind of makeup is also called cosmetics, and it consists of things like lipstick, mascara, foundation, and so on. This meaning of makeup has been in use since the 1880s, a period when Queen Victoria declared it vulgar, only appropriate for stage actors.

Example Sentences

She strolls in without makeup, fresh red hair dye staining her scalp, three glittering studs on her teeth that she flashes while talking as though she’s not being recorded.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

For example, they were outraged about their "eight-year-old cousins getting skin care for Christmas" while they themselves were also wearing a full face of makeup aged 12.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Her makeup artist, Duvan Foronda -- who spoke with AFP this Sunday -- teased that Karol G "is going to look absolutely stunning; you've never seen her dance the way she's going to dance today."

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The makeup line of Grammy Award-winning Gwen Stefani shuttered in February after under four years in business, for example, not long after supermodel Kate Moss’s Cosmoss brand was dissolved.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Their black lipstick and pale makeup was pretty cool, Seven could admit.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

• content
• design
• formation
• layout
• setup
• shape
• style