touch-up

[tuhch-uhp]

noun

1. an act or instance of touching up.

   Her makeup needed a touch-up.

touch up

verb

1. to put extra or finishing touches to

2. to enhance, renovate, or falsify by putting extra touches to

   to touch up a photograph

3. to stimulate or rouse as by a tap or light blow

4. slang,  to touch or caress (someone), esp to arouse sexual feelings

noun

1. a renovation or retouching, as of a painting

Word History and Origins

Origin of touch up¹

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase touch up

Idioms and Phrases

Make minor changes or improvements, as in This wall needs some touching up but not complete repainting. [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

Hovering nearby is an entourage of about half a dozen people, including a makeup artist who’s primed to make Aguilar’s next touch-up.

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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.

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While on the set of “Baby Boy,” Henson said she was embarrassed for the hairstylist to see her roots because she hadn’t had a touch-up.

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At another point, a makeup artist gives him a touch-up because a fall has broken bones in his face.

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The Coronation Chair, on which King Charles III will sit for part of his ceremony on Saturday, is getting a touch-up.

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