make-up

noun

1. cosmetics, such as powder, lipstick, etc, applied to the face to improve its appearance

2. 1. the cosmetics, false hair, etc, used by an actor to highlight his features or adapt his appearance

   2. the art or result of applying such cosmetics

3. the manner of arrangement of the parts or qualities of someone or something

4. the arrangement of type matter and illustrations on a page or in a book

5. mental or physical constitution

verb

1. (tr) to form or constitute

   these arguments make up the case for the defence

2. (tr) to devise, construct, or compose, sometimes with the intent to deceive

   to make up a song

   to make up an excuse

3. (tr) to supply what is lacking or deficient in; complete

   these extra people will make up our total

4. (tr) to put in order, arrange, or prepare

   to make up a bed

5. to compensate or atone (for)

   his kindness now makes up for his rudeness yesterday

6. to settle (differences) amicably (often in the phrase make it up )

7. to apply cosmetics to (the face) to enhance one's appearance or so as to alter the appearance for a theatrical role

8. to assemble (type and illustrations) into (columns or pages)

9. (tr) to surface (a road) with asphalt, concrete, etc

10. (tr)

    1. to set in order and balance (accounts)

    2. to draw up (accounting statements)

11. to decide (about something or to do something)

    he made up his mind to take vengeance

12. informal

    1. to make friendly overtures to

    2. to flirt with

Idioms and Phrases

Put together, construct or compose, as in The druggist made up the prescription , or The tailor said he could make up a suit from this fabric . This usage was first recorded in 1530.

Constitute, form, as in One hundred years make up a century . [Late 1500s]

Change one's appearance; apply cosmetics. For example, He made himself up as an old man . [c. 1800]

Devise a fiction or falsehood; invent. For example, Mary is always making up stories for her children , or Is that account true or did you make it up? This usage was first recorded in 1828.

Compensate for, provide for a deficiency, as in Can you make up the difference in the bill? or What he lacks in height he makes up in skill . This usage was first recorded in 1538. Also see make up for lost time .

Repeat a course, take a test or do an assignment at a later time because of previous absence or failure. For example, Steve will have to make up calculus this summer , or The professor is letting me make up the exam tomorrow .

Also, make it up . Resolve a quarrel, as in The Sweeneys argue a lot but they always make up before going to sleep , or Will you two ever make it up? The first usage was first recorded in 1699, the variant in 1669.

Put in order, as in We asked them to make up the room for us , or Can you make up another bed in this room? [Early 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with make up .

Example Sentences

The make-up of the team is a problem and I felt a bit sorry for fast bowler Sonny Baker, who was dropped for the second ODI after a difficult debut.

From BBC

Patience would appear to be part of his make-up.

From BBC

These shifts in party allegiance suggest the make-up of the parliament could be much changed too.

From BBC

She left school with no qualifications and had recently quit her job on the MAC beauty counter to become a freelance make-up artist.

From BBC

As part of its attempt to turn the low cost make-up firm around, Revolution Beauty said it would look to raise about £15m by issuing new shares.

From BBC