Makeup
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
Definitions
7 meaningsCosmetic preparations, such as lipstick and powder, used to enhance the appearance.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
Cosmetic preparations
She always carries her makeup bag with her.
💡 Simply: Makeup is like the paint you use on your face! It can be lipstick, eyeshadow, or even stuff to hide a boo-boo. Imagine getting ready for a superhero party, and you need sparkly eye shadow and red lipstick to complete your outfit!
👶 For kids: Things you put on your face to look prettier, like lipstick and eye shadow.
More Examples
The store sells a wide variety of makeup products.
Her makeup was flawless.
How It's Used
"She spent an hour applying her makeup before the party."
The act or process of applying cosmetic preparations.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
The act of applying cosmetics
She spent a long time on her makeup this morning.
💡 Simply: It's the *act* of putting the face paint on. Like when you are painting your face.
👶 For kids: Putting makeup on your face.
More Examples
Her makeup routine involves several steps.
The actor's makeup had to be changed for the next scene.
How It's Used
"The model's makeup was done by a professional artist."
The way in which something is composed or constructed; constitution.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
Constitution or structure
The makeup of the jury was carefully chosen.
💡 Simply: Makeup in this case isn't about lipstick! Think of it as what a group is made of. Like, the makeup of your friend group is a bunch of different personalities that all get along. Or, the makeup of a cake is flour, sugar, eggs, etc.
👶 For kids: What something is made of.
More Examples
The company's success depended on the makeup of its staff.
The makeup of the Earth's crust is constantly changing.
How It's Used
"The makeup of the team was very diverse."
"The chemical makeup of the substance was analyzed."
To pay a sum of money which is owed.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
The amount of money required to be paid
They had to pay makeup fees for their overdue loan.
💡 Simply: When something is outstanding or missing, like the money paid on a loan. They make it up.
👶 For kids: To pay back money you owe.
More Examples
She need to makeup her tuition to attend the university
How It's Used
"They had to pay makeup fees for their overdue loan."
To invent or concoct; to prepare or devise.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
To prepare or devise
I had to make up a story about why I was late.
💡 Simply: Creating something from your mind! Imagine inventing a story, or creating plans.
👶 For kids: To invent or create something.
More Examples
They made up a plan to surprise their parents.
She had to make up a lot of lost work after her illness.
How It's Used
"She made up a story about the missing money."
To compensate for something missed or lost; to reconcile.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
To restore or compensate for
They made up for the lost revenue by working extra hours.
💡 Simply: Like making up for something you missed, or patching things up with a friend. If you missed school on Monday, you could makeup the work on Tuesday. Or if you had a fight with a friend, you want to makeup to patch up the friendship.
👶 For kids: To fix something that was broken, like a friendship or a missed school day.
More Examples
After the fight, they made up and became friends again.
She needs to make up the missed test next week.
How It's Used
"She made up for lost time by studying extra hard."
"After the argument, they made up."
To apply cosmetics to oneself.
/ˈmeɪkʌp/
To apply cosmetics to oneself
She spent the morning making herself up.
💡 Simply: This is another way to say you're putting makeup on.
👶 For kids: Putting makeup on your face.
More Examples
She spent time making up her eyes.
How It's Used
"She spent an hour making up before the date."
Synonyms
Cosmetics
Foundation
Application
Arrangement
Composition
Constitution
Compensate
Create
Devise
Invent
Idioms & expressions
make up one's mind
To come to a decision or to make a choice after thinking about it.
"She needs to make up her mind about whether she wants to go to the party or not."
makeup call
A rescheduled phone call.
"I had to schedule a makeup call."
From Middle English make up, equivalent to make + up. Initially referred to cosmetic preparations used to improve appearance, later extended to other senses.
Originally referred to cosmetic preparations; the verb usage emerged to describe the act of applying cosmetics and, later, to other forms of compensation or reconciliation.