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Synonyms

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.


Other Word Forms

  • nonmakeup adjective

Etymology

Origin of makeup

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

The species used, Drosophila melanogaster, is widely used in behavioral research because its genetic makeup and neural systems share important similarities with humans, Han explained.

From Science Daily

By adjusting their chemical makeup, scientists can control the wavelengths of light the crystals absorb and emit, a property known as the bandgap.

From Science Daily

The oil giant paid the smaller company $320 million over a decade to tinker with the genetic makeup of algae to try to distill enough oil to make the venture technically viable.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said "almost all" of the Isle of Man was suitable for the project, with the island holding the right climate and geographical makeup "in droves".

From BBC

The night her mother took a Kleenex and forcibly tried to wipe the makeup off her face, Sharon flounced from the house and into her boyfriend’s truck.

From Literature