variants
or less commonly make-up
plural makeups also make-ups
1
a
: the way in which the parts or ingredients of something are put together : composition
the ethnic makeup of the neighborhood
b
: physical, mental, and moral constitution
His daring attitude toward risks is a major part of his makeup.
2
a
: the operation of making up especially pages for printing
b
: design or layout of printed matter
3
a(1)
: cosmetics (such as lipstick, mascara, and eye shadow) used to color and beautify the face
(2)
: a cosmetic applied to other parts of the body
leg makeup for a tanned appearance
b
: materials (such as wigs and cosmetics) used in making up or in special costuming (as for a play)
4
: replacement
specifically
: material added (as in a manufacturing process) to replace material that has been used up
makeup water
5
: something that makes up for a previous postponement, omission, failure, or deficiency
a makeup exam
made up; making up; makes up
1
a
: to form by fitting together or assembling
make up a train of cars
b
: to arrange typeset matter in (columns or pages) for printing
2
a
: to combine to produce (a sum or whole)
b
: constitute, compose
10 chapters make up this volume
3
a
: to compensate for (something, such as a deficiency or omission)
make up the difference in lost pay
b
: to do or take in order to correct an omission
make up a history exam
5
: to wrap or fasten up
make the books up into a parcel
6
a
: to prepare in physical appearance for a role
b
: to apply cosmetics to
1
: to become reconciled
quarreled but later made up
2
a
: to act ingratiatingly and flatteringly
made up to his aunt for a new bicycle
b
: to make advances : court
3
: compensate
make up for lost time
4
a
: to put on costumes or makeup (as for a play)
b
: to apply cosmetics
Synonyms
Examples of makeup in a Sentence
Noun
His daring attitude toward risks is a major part of his makeup.
She put on some makeup before the party.
She applied her makeup lightly.
She's too young to wear makeup.
put on makeup for a play
I didn't recognize him when he was in his theatrical makeup.
Verb
the book is made up of 20 chapters
she keeps making up excuses as to why she hasn't yet finished the project
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
All of the state Assembly seats and half of the state Senate seats are up for election — and the recent redistricting away from the gerrymandering of the past could make a difference in the makeup of both.
—Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Of those, 430 were among Native American people — making up 75% of the state’s syphilis cases, whereas the group accounts for just 9% of the population.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for makeup 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
The makeup of Congress is still unknown as local election offices continue to count ballots.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
All of the state Assembly seats and half of the state Senate seats are up for election — and the recent redistricting away from the gerrymandering of the past could make a difference in the makeup of both.
—Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
A week after the 2024 general election wrapped up, more than half of voters haven’t made up their minds about the likely candidates for 2026 yet, UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies poll found.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Of those, 430 were among Native American people — making up 75% of the state’s syphilis cases, whereas the group accounts for just 9% of the population.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for makeup
Dictionary Entries Near makeup
Cite this Entry
“Makeup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/makeup. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
makeup
1 of 2 noun
make·up
ˈmā-ˌkəp 
1
: the way the parts or elements of something are put together : composition
the makeup of a newspaper
2
a
: any of various cosmetics (as lipstick or powder)
b
: materials (as wigs or cosmetics) used in making up
put on makeup for a play
too young to wear makeup
make up
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)mā-ˈkəp
1
: to form by fitting together or assembling
make up a suit
make up a train
2
: compose sense 1b
chapters make up a book
3
: to make good for something lacking or for a loss or injury
4
: decide sense 3, settle
made up my mind to go
5
a
: to create from the imagination : invent
make up a story
b
: to set in order
rooms are made up daily
6
: to become friendly again
they fought and made up
7
a
: to put on costumes or makeup (as for a play)
made up as a clown
b
: to apply cosmetics to
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