makeup
Americannoun
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facial cosmetics, as eye shadow or lipstick.
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cosmetics used on other parts of the body, as to cover birthmarks.
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the application of cosmetics.
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the ensemble or effect created by such application.
Her makeup was subtle but very effective.
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the total ensemble of cosmetics, wigs, costumes, etc., used by an actor or other performer.
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the manner of being made up or put together; composition.
the makeup of a team; the makeup of a situation.
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physical or mental constitution.
the makeup of a criminal.
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the art, technique, or process of arranging or laying out, as pages in a publication.
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the appearance of a page, book, newspaper, or the like, resulting from the arrangement and the variation in size and style of the printed elements.
The makeup would be helped by a picture in this corner.
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Printing. the arrangement of set type, cuts, etc., into columns or pages.
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an examination, assignment, or the like, given to offset a student's previous absence or failure.
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an amount owed; balance.
Other Word Forms
- nonmakeup adjective
Etymology
Origin of makeup
First recorded in 1805–15; noun use of verb phrase make up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The oil giant paid the smaller company $320 million over a decade to tinker with the genetic makeup of algae to try to distill enough oil to make the venture technically viable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
He said "almost all" of the Isle of Man was suitable for the project, with the island holding the right climate and geographical makeup "in droves".
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
"It just feels wrong to fetishise albinism in that way," said British influencer Mio, 22, who posts about makeup and skincare to her more than 47,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
Researchers have been trying to understand why the chemical makeup at the surface of red giant stars changes as these stars evolve.
From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026
She wore her flowing blue housecoat with the moonflower pattern, and she had her makeup on already.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
