makeup

Or make-up

[meyk-uhp]

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonmakeup adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of makeup¹

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

Example Sentences

Bower described the “gothy folk, black metal” music he would play as he sat in the makeup chair, which would get faster and more hardcore as they progressed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In this instance, however, their close spacing results from the specific makeup of Conical Seamount.

Read more on Science Daily

According to the authors, the kinetic energy associated with earthquakes can influence both the chemistry and the biological makeup of aquifer fluids.

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As a result, a body's isotopic makeup preserves information about the original region where its building materials formed.

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Information their clients take for granted in public markets, including what investments perform best or the makeup of common indexes, can be guarded as closely as state secrets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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