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 Words From

• non·makeup adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of makeup¹

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

Example Sentences

Part of their hang-up was over the makeup of the new advisory board, whose selection is made by various appointments.

From Voice of San Diego

In Switzerland, scientists at a startup called Mootral are experimenting with a garlic-based food supplement designed to alter the bovine digestive makeup to reduce the amount of methane they emit.

From Singularity Hub 

What’s been seen so far is not a case of leopards “changing their genetic behavior as changes in genetic makeup will take decades of evolution to occur,” explains Swanepoel.

From Ozy

There was our midterms forecast in 2018, which was pretty accurate in predicting the makeup of the House and the Senate.

From FiveThirtyEight

The makeup of local City Councils could drastically change in cities like Escondido and Oceanside, where three seats apiece are on the ballot.

From Voice of San Diego

Storage containers hold a treasure trove of mascara, lipstick, blush, and other makeup.

From The Daily Beast

Her services include a makeup session for a night out for $50.

From The Daily Beast

Her daughter, Elaina, 24, a trained costume designer and makeup artist, helps out by sewing clothes.

From The Daily Beast

She began teaching herself how to apply makeup through books and videos.

From The Daily Beast

Hair and makeup have evolved stylistically along with the clothes we wear.

From The Daily Beast

Miss Mitkin languidly took her bag out of the desk drawer and began to apply makeup.

From Project Gutenberg

The dam whose bursting caused this awful loss of life was very carelessly constructed, and had no stone work in its makeup.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a bright wit and genial manners, but moral endowments had been accidentally omitted in his makeup.

From Project Gutenberg

Fundamental as they are in our mental development, they enter into our general personality and become a part of our makeup.

From Project Gutenberg

She was medium tall, a little on the compact side, her blond hair cut too short, no makeup on her broad Slavic features.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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