touch-up

American  

[tuhch-uhp] / ˈtʌtʃˌʌp /

noun

1. an act or instance of touching up.

   Her makeup needed a touch-up.

---

touch up British  

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

touch up Idioms  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of touch-up

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

Example Sentences

But the team doesn’t just apply a flattering touch-up to sickly markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

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

Mohawk caters mostly to professionals but offers consumers some of its easier-to-use products, such as touch-up markers in various wood colors and fill sticks for repairing scratches.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2022

After the hairs began to grow back, I went to see her for a touch-up.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2022

I was missing the idea of Mom, not the actual human with her thin lips, round cheeks, and dyed blonde hair that needs a touch-up after so many weeks in hiding.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller