retouch

American  

[ree-tuhch, ree-tuhch, ree-tuhch] / riˈtʌtʃ, ˈriˌtʌtʃ, riˈtʌtʃ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

• retouchable adjective
• retoucher noun
• unretouched adjective

Etymology

Origin of retouch

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

Example Sentences

This work was done by Gardena-based company KC Restoration, which retouched and treated each damaged or cracked tile with the type of care and attention to detail used by painting conservators, Denk said.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

The painting had to be retouched on game day.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times