touch-up
noun
an act or instance of touching up.
touch-up
American
[tuhch-uhp]
/ ˈtʌtʃˌʌp /
noun
touch up
British
verb
-
to put extra or finishing touches to
-
to enhance, renovate, or falsify by putting extra touches to
to touch up a photograph
-
to stimulate or rouse as by a tap or light blow
-
slang to touch or caress (someone), esp to arouse sexual feelings
noun
touch up
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of touch-up
First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase touch 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.
See Examples For:
But the team doesn’t just apply a flattering touch-up to sickly markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026
She tried not to over-process her hair when she had a relaxer, and would sometimes wait six weeks or two months before getting a touch-up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2023
The Coronation Chair, on which King Charles III will sit for part of his ceremony on Saturday, is getting a touch-up.
From New York Times ● May 5, 2023
People aspire to capture their essence by wearing their fragrances and makeup, which Rihanna acknowledged by subtly promoting her Fenty cosmetics line mid-performance with an on-camera touch-up.
From Salon ● Feb. 17, 2023
Dr. Lange was impressed with how quickly I could detect a repainting, fake, or touch-up.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
Crawford also has to touch up the paint on the props from time to time, due to effects of the fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
In a behind-the-scenes film shared by Coke, a voice-over discusses the “team of artists” who “work frame-by-frame, often pixel-by-pixel” to touch up and tweak the festive images generated by the AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025
He credited that in part to drills arranged by Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach to touch up certain aspects of his game and build his confidence.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 9, 2024
Two commercial breaks will run per hour, during which candidates can use the restroom and touch up makeup.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 9, 2023
I touch up the gray in her hair and skin as a bonus.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
