airbrush

American  

[air-bruhsh] / ˈɛərˌbrʌʃ /

noun

1. an atomizer for spraying paint.

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verb (used with object)

1. to paint or decorate, using an airbrush.

   to airbrush murals; to airbrush silk kimonos.

2. to remove or alter by or as by means of an airbrush.

   to airbrush facial lines from a photograph.

3. to prettify or sanitize.

   airbrushed versions of modern history.

airbrush British  

/ ˈɛəˌbrʌʃ /

noun

1. an atomizer for spraying paint or varnish by means of compressed air

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verb

1. to paint or varnish (something) by using an airbrush

2. to improve the image of (a person or thing) by concealing defects beneath a bland exterior

   an airbrushed version of the government's record

Etymology

Origin of airbrush

First recorded in 1885–90; air ¹ + brush ¹

Example Sentences

Internet sleuths were suspicious of the band's airbrushed photos, which featured non-descript backgrounds and a warm orange filter.

From BBC

He was also a steely, secretive poser who worked overtime to airbrush his image.

From The Wall Street Journal

‘He knew that I airbrushed and was also thinking about how the mechanics of a car machine resemble parts of the human body — are kind of extensions of them in some way.’

From Los Angeles Times

So she kept making them, encouraged by the rave reviews: A chocolate cake for Escoto’s 24th birthday, airbrushed in psychedelic blue and green and embellished with gummy bears.

From Los Angeles Times

Tennis Association has asked carriers to airbrush the reaction, tennis scribe Ben Rothenberg reported –Alcaraz-Sinner has become the best theater in sports.

From The Wall Street Journal