Make-up
//mæɪkˈɐp// adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Alternative spelling of makeup. See usage notes there. alt-of, alternative, uncountable, usually
"From Whitemoor, left at 6.45 p.m., the train's make-up usually includes also some Continental ferry wagons, originating from Harwich."
- 2 cosmetics applied to the face to improve or change your appearance wordnet
- 3 the way in which someone or something is composed wordnet
- 4 an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event wordnet
Verb
- 1 Rare form of make up (“to put makeup on”). form-of, rare
"Orange, mauve, and cobalt blue are three favorite shades now employed by the woman who desires to “make-up” her face, according to the approved beauty standards."
Adjective
- 1 Made-up, false, imaginary, fabricated. not-comparable
- 2 Of or relating to a reconciliation. informal, not-comparable
"Joe and Joanne had a big fight, and then apologized and had incredible make-up sex."
Example
More examples"A little make-up worked wonders with her."
Etymology
Deverbal from make up.
Related phrases
More for "make-up"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.