retouch

[ree-tuhch, ree-tuhch, ree-tuhch]

verb (used with object)

1. to improve with new touches, highlights, or the like; touch up or rework, as a painting or makeup.

2. Photography.,  to alter (a negative or positive) after development by adding or removing lines, lightening areas, etc., with a pencil, brush, or knife.

3. to dye, tint, or bleach (a new growth of hair) to match or blend with the color of an earlier and previously dyed growth.

noun

1. an added touch to a picture, painting, paint job, etc., by way of improvement or alteration.

2. an act or instance of dyeing new growth of hair to blend with previously dyed hair.

retouch

/ riːˈtʌtʃ /

verb

1. to restore, correct, or improve (a painting, make-up, etc) with new touches

2. photog to alter (a negative or print) by painting over blemishes or adding details

3. to make small finishing improvements to

4. archaeol to detach small flakes from (a stone) in order to make a tool

noun

1. the art or practice of retouching

2. a detail that is the result of retouching

3. a photograph, painting, etc, that has been retouched

4. archaeol fine percussion to shape flakes of stone into usable tools

Other Word Forms

• retoucher noun
• retouchable adjective
• unretouched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retouch¹

1675–85; < Middle French retoucher, equivalent to re- re- + toucher to touch

Example Sentences

Water can be used to dampen and repose the body and paint can be removed or retouched.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To this day, when the pool is drained, the hotel retouches the lines, refreshing Hockney’s iconic blue half-moon marks every year or so.

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The painting had to be retouched on game day.

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Mr Draper's first impression of Trump's image was that it was "heavily manipulated" with both studio lighting and retouching after the shoot.

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There are retouches to the original tale, updates to conform to modern sensibilities and a few winking asides to the audience, but the basic recipe of a whodunit spoof is preserved.

Read more on Los Angeles Times