makeup
makeup — verb
1. to create something by taking separate pieces, parts, or people and putting them
to create something by taking separate pieces, parts, or people and putting them together into a single whole
Wei made up a first-aid kit with bandages, ointment, and a pair of scissors.
separable: 'made up a kit' or 'made a kit up'
The coach made up a training plan by choosing drills from three different sports.
Quan made up a shelter from old wooden planks and a plastic sheet.
Isabela made a simple bed up using two mattresses and a blanket.
separable with pronoun: 'made it up'
- make up a bed
- make up a list
- make up a team
- make up a bundle
- make up a package
- assemble
more formal, focuses on the mechanical process of putting parts together
- put together
same register, interchangeable in most contexts
- take apart
to separate into pieces
- dismantle
more formal, to take something to pieces
Grammar Patterns
make up + noun phrase
make + noun phrase + up
Usage Note
The object can go between 'make' and 'up' (make + object + up) or after 'up' (make up + object). When the object is a pronoun, it must go between: 'make it up', not 'make up it'.
Common Mistakes
2. to arrange text, images, and other elements on a page so that they are ready for
to arrange text, images, and other elements on a page so that they are ready for printing or publishing
The designer made up the magazine pages before sending them to the printer.
technical domain: printing/publishing
Christopher made up the book cover using a layout program on his computer.
The newspaper team made up each page by hand before the digital age arrived.
Élise made up the advertisement by fitting the text around the product photo.
- make up a page
- make up a column
- make up type
Grammar Patterns
make up + noun phrase (page, column, layout)
Usage Note
This is a specialist printing and publishing term. In modern contexts it has largely been replaced by 'lay out' or 'design'. The noun form 'makeup' (one word) is still used in publishing for the layout of a page.
3. when numbers, amounts, or groups combine to reach a particular total or percenta
when numbers, amounts, or groups combine to reach a particular total or percentage
International students make up nearly a quarter of the university population.
percentage collocation: make up [percentage] of [group]
Women make up about sixty percent of the nursing staff at the local hospital.
Exports make up a large part of the country's yearly income.
The three small rooms make up the entire apartment on the top floor.
- make up the majority
- make up a large part
- make up half of
- make up ten percent
- account for
more formal, especially used with percentages and statistics
- comprise
formal; can be used in both active and passive patterns
Grammar Patterns
make up + quantity/percentage
make up + fraction of something
Usage Note
Frequently used with percentages, fractions, and proportions. The subject names the parts, and the object names the whole. Distinguish from 'make up of' in sense 4 — here the parts actively combine to produce a total, whereas sense 4 describes what something is composed of.
Common Mistakes
4. to be the parts, members, or ingredients that together form a single thing
to be the parts, members, or ingredients that together form a single thing
The committee is made up of teachers, parents, and local business owners.
passive: be made up of [components]
The team was made up of players from six different countries.
Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Jenna's band is made up of three guitarists and a drummer from her old school.
The apartment building is made up of twenty-four units spread across six floors.
passive pattern with count
- be made up of members
- be made up of parts
- be made up of sections
- be made up of individuals
- compose
more formal; usually passive: 'is composed of'
- constitute
formal; used in active voice: 'X constitutes Y'
Grammar Patterns
be made up of + noun phrase
make up + noun phrase
Usage Note
This sense is most commonly used in the passive voice with 'of' ('be made up of'). The active form ('X makes up Y') overlaps with sense 3, but sense 4 describes the qualitative composition of something (what it consists of), not quantitative totals (percentages or proportions).
Common Mistakes
5. to provide something good that balances or reduces the effect of something that
to provide something good that balances or reduces the effect of something that is missing, lost, or not good enough
Tamar worked extra hours to make up for the time she lost during her illness.
collocation: make up for lost time
A warm smile can make up for not speaking the local language very well.
make up for + verb-ing
The hotel offered a free dinner to make up for the delay in check-in.
No amount of money can make up for the time Eshe spent away from her children.
pattern: cannot make up for [abstract loss]
The company gave staff a bonus to make up for a year of pay cuts.
financial compensation context
A short afternoon nap can make up for a night of broken and restless sleep.
- make up for lost time
- make up for the delay
- make up for the damage
- make up for a mistake
- make up for a loss
- compensate for
more formal; 'compensate for a loss' vs 'make up for a loss'
- offset
formal; used especially in financial or technical contexts
Grammar Patterns
make up for + noun phrase
make up for + verb-ing
Usage Note
Always takes the preposition 'for' before the thing being compensated. Cannot be used without 'for'. The object of 'for' is the deficiency, loss, or harm that needs balancing, NOT the compensating thing itself. Covers a wide range of contexts from personal deficits (lost time, missed practice) to abstract compensation (emotional loss, financial offset). Distinguish from sense 6 where 'make up' (without 'for') means doing a missed activity.
Common Mistakes
6. to do an activity or take something at a later time because you were unable to d
to do an activity or take something at a later time because you were unable to do it at the correct time
Allison took a test to make up the exam she missed when she was sick.
collocation: make up an exam / a test
The class will make up the cancelled lesson on Saturday morning.
Emre made up his missed piano practice by playing for two hours the next day.
The team made up the postponed match after the stadium reopened following repairs.
- make up a test
- make up a lesson
- make up a class
- make up a game
- make up a shift
- reschedule
more formal; focuses on changing the time rather than doing the missed activity
- catch up on
different pattern; 'catch up on homework' focuses on reaching the same point as others
Grammar Patterns
make up + noun phrase (exam, lesson, meeting, game)
Usage Note
Unlike sense 5, this sense does NOT take 'for'. 'Make up a test' means take the test you missed; 'make up for a test' (if it were possible) would mean compensate for something about the test. The object is the thing that was missed or postponed.
Common Mistakes
7. to reach a firm decision about something after thinking about the choices; used
to reach a firm decision about something after thinking about the choices; used in the fixed phrase make up one's mind.
Ishaan finally made up his mind to study medicine after his grandfather fell ill.
make up one's mind + to-infinitive
Sari could not make up her mind about which university offer to accept.
make up one's mind + about + wh-clause
After trying on six jackets, Wei made up his mind and bought the blue one.
Rafael made up his mind to save enough money for a trip to Japan.
make up one's mind + that-clause
The committee finally made up its mind to approve the new building plan.
make up one's mind — collective subject
- make up your mind
- make up my mind
- make up his mind
- make up her mind
- make up our minds
- make up their minds
- waver
to be uncertain, the opposite of being decided
Grammar Patterns
make up + one's + mind + to-infinitive
make up + one's + mind + wh-clause
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'make up one's mind'. The possessive adjective ('my', 'your', 'his', 'her', 'our', 'their', 'its') is required before 'mind'. Never used without it: ❌ 'I made up mind to go.'
Common Mistakes
8. to wrap something in paper, cloth, or other material so that it is fully closed
to wrap something in paper, cloth, or other material so that it is fully closed or covered.
Layla made up the birthday gift with silver paper and a red bow.
make up + object with [material]
The shop assistant made the books up into a neat parcel for the customer.
separable: make + object + up
Gabriel made up the leftover pizza in foil and placed it in the fridge.
The movers made up the glass vases in bubble wrap before loading the truck.
- make up a parcel
- make up a package
- make up a bundle
- make up in paper
- make up in foil
- make up with ribbon
Grammar Patterns
make + object + up
make up + object
Usage Note
The object can come between 'make' and 'up' (make the package up) or after 'up' (make up the package). When the object is a pronoun, it must go between: 'make it up', not 'make up it'.
Common Mistakes
9. to dress someone in a costume and put makeup on their face so that they look lik
to dress someone in a costume and put makeup on their face so that they look like a particular character for a performance.
The theatre team made up the actors as Roman soldiers for the historical drama.
make up + object + as + [role]
The crew made Zuri up as an elderly woman for her lead film role.
passive: be made up to look like
For the school play, the teacher made the children up as colourful butterflies and bees.
The artist made up the lead singer with pale face paint for the stage show.
- make up as a character
- make up for a role
- make up as a witch
- make up as a clown
- be made up for a play
Grammar Patterns
make + object + up + as + role
be made up + as + role
Usage Note
This sense emphasises the transformation of the person's entire look (costume and makeup) to suit a specific role. Distinguish from sense 10 (APPLY MAKEUP), which refers only to applying cosmetics to someone's face without the theatrical context of a role.
Common Mistakes
10. to put cosmetics such as lipstick, powder, or eye shadow onto someone's face to
to put cosmetics such as lipstick, powder, or eye shadow onto someone's face to change or improve how they look.
The bridal stylist made up the bride's face with pink lipstick and light blush.
make up + possessive + face with [products]
The nurse made the patient up with foundation to hide the bruises on her cheek.
separable: make + object + up
For the shoot, the team made up the models in red lipstick and dark eye shadow.
Darius made up his sister's face for her graduation party using his own makeup kit.
- make up someone's face
- make up a model
- make up a bride
- make up the actors
- make up with lipstick
- make up with foundation
Grammar Patterns
make + object + up
make up + object
Usage Note
This sense takes a person as the direct object and means applying cosmetics to that person's face. If the subject applies makeup to themselves, use 'put on makeup' or 'do one's makeup' instead: 'She put on makeup before going out.' Distinguish from sense 9 (DRESS FOR ROLE), which involves full costume and theatrical transformation.
Common Mistakes
11. to invent a story, excuse, explanation, or name that is not true, often to avoid
to invent a story, excuse, explanation, or name that is not true, often to avoid trouble or to amuse someone.
The child made up an exciting story about a dragon that guarded a golden castle.
make up + story — creative invention
Otis made up an excuse about his alarm when the teacher asked why he was late.
Christopher made up a funny song about a penguin to cheer up his little sister.
The newspaper fired the reporter for making up facts and quotes in several articles.
make up + facts / quotes — dishonest invention
Élise made up a secret language to pass notes with her cousin in class.
- make up a story
- make up an excuse
- make up a lie
- make up a name
- make up a song
- make up facts
- make up a reason
- report
to give factual information, the opposite of inventing
Grammar Patterns
make + object + up
make up + object
make up + that-clause
Usage Note
Often carries a negative connotation of dishonesty when the invention is meant to deceive. For harmless, creative invention (songs, stories, games), the connotation is neutral or positive.
Common Mistakes
12. to make a bed, sofa, or room neat and orderly by putting things back in their pr
to make a bed, sofa, or room neat and orderly by putting things back in their proper place.
Élise makes up her bed every morning before she leaves for school.
make up + bed — most common collocation
The hotel cleaner made up the room while the guests were having breakfast downstairs.
Matthew made up the sofa with fresh cushions and a blanket for the guest.
The guests arrived to find the living room made up and the toys put away.
make up + room — preparing a space for guests
- make up the bed
- make up the sofa
- make up the room
- make up the couch
- tidy
more general, can apply to any space or surface
- straighten
suggests putting things in a neat line or position
- arrange
focuses on placing items in a particular order
- mess up
to make something untidy, the opposite of tidying
Grammar Patterns
make + object + up
make up + object
Usage Note
Most commonly used with 'bed' (make up the bed = to arrange the sheets, blankets, and pillows neatly after sleeping). With rooms, it often implies preparing the space for someone's use or for guests, not just general cleaning.
Common Mistakes
13. After a quarrel or disagreement, two people forgive each other and become friend
After a quarrel or disagreement, two people forgive each other and become friendly again.
Talia and her roommate had a silly fight, but they made up before bedtime.
make up + with + someone for reconciliation
After ignoring each other all week, the brothers finally made up with a hug.
Owen tried to make up with his best friend by writing a sincere apology letter.
make up with + someone
The couple went for a long walk and talked through their problems until they made up.
Nala sent a long text message to make up after their argument at the party.
- make up with someone
- make up after a fight
- make up after an argument
- reconcile
more formal; 'reconcile' is used in both casual and formal writing
- bury the hatchet
idiomatic expression, same register, suggests ending a long conflict
- patch things up
informal, very similar in meaning
Grammar Patterns
make up + with + someone
Usage Note
Frequently used with "with" to introduce the other person. The noun phrase "make-up" can also mean the act of reconciling, e.g. "They had a tearful make-up."
Common Mistakes
14. To behave in an excessively friendly or flattering way toward someone who has po
To behave in an excessively friendly or flattering way toward someone who has power or influence, hoping to gain an advantage.
The intern spent the whole week making up to the senior staff for a better reference.
make up + to + someone + for + purpose
Mayumi is always making up to the landlord so he will fix the broken heater first.
I noticed how my cousin kept making up to our rich aunt all through dinner.
Stop making up to the coach with fake enthusiasm and just show him your skills.
make up + to + someone (authority figure)
- make up to the boss
- make up to the teacher
- make up to someone for a favour
- flatter
more direct and neutral; 'make up to' implies a stronger goal of personal gain
- curry favour
formal idiom, same meaning but more literary
- suck up to
very informal, often rude, same meaning
Grammar Patterns
make up + to + someone
Usage Note
Often carries a negative connotation — the person being flattered may not realise the insincerity, but the speaker does. Common in British English more than American.
Common Mistakes
15. To try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone by giving them a
To try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone by giving them a lot of attention and compliments.
Eshe noticed that a tall stranger had been making up to her all evening.
make up + to + someone (romantic context)
Daichi was too nervous to make up to his classmate, so he just smiled from across the room.
A regular customer at the cafe kept making up to the barista and finally asked for her number.
Romi could tell her friend was making up to Joao, but she decided not to say anything.
- make up to someone at a party
- make up to a neighbour
- keep making up to someone
- court
more formal and old-fashioned; implies serious romantic pursuit
- woo
formal or literary, implies careful romantic gestures
- flirt with
lighter, less serious than 'make up to' in this sense
Grammar Patterns
make up + to + someone
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 14 (WIN FAVOUR): this sense involves romantic or sexual attraction, while sense 14 involves seeking a non-romantic advantage such as a promotion or special treatment.
Common Mistakes
16. To put on a costume, wig, or special face paints for a theatrical performance, t
To put on a costume, wig, or special face paints for a theatrical performance, themed event, or party.
The actors made up as ghosts and monsters for the Halloween stage show.
make up + as + character
Shanti spent two hours making up as an old wizard for the school play.
The dancers made up with bright red lipstick and gold glitter for the carnival parade.
Esteban made up as a pirate for the themed party and won the prize.
make up + as + [character for event]
- make up as a character
- make up for a play
- make up for a performance
- make up as a clown
- dress up
broader — includes costumes without face makeup
- put on costume
more literal, describes the action step by step
Grammar Patterns
make up + as + character
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 18 (EVERYDAY MAKEUP): this sense covers theatrical or costumed appearance changes for a performance, while sense 18 covers daily cosmetic use for personal appearance. Also distinct from sense 9 (PREPARE FOR ROLE) which is broader and includes non-makeup preparation.
Common Mistakes
17. To put coloured substances such as foundation, lipstick, or mascara on your own
To put coloured substances such as foundation, lipstick, or mascara on your own face to change or improve your appearance.
Noor makes up every morning before she leaves for her office job.
intransitive: make up = apply cosmetics to oneself
The teenager spent an hour making up in front of the bathroom mirror.
Yael likes to make up lightly for a casual dinner with friends.
Some people feel more confident when they make up for important occasions like weddings.
Anjali learned how to make up by watching short video tutorials on her phone.
make up = apply personal cosmetics
- make up lightly
- make up carefully
- make up every morning
- make up for a party
- put on makeup
more explicit, useful for learners at lower levels
- apply cosmetics
formal, used in product instructions or professional contexts
- remove makeup
opposite action, e.g. cleansing the face
Grammar Patterns
make up
Usage Note
Intransitive — the person doing the action is also the recipient. Distinguish from sense 10 (verb_b2) which is transitive: "to make up someone's face" means applying makeup TO another person. This sense is about applying makeup to oneself.
Common Mistakes
makeup — noun
1. products such as lipstick, powder, and eye shadow that people put on their face
products such as lipstick, powder, and eye shadow that people put on their face to change how they look or to make themselves more attractive.
Anjali put on her makeup before going to the job interview.
Sofia keeps her makeup in a small bag inside her backpack.
uncountable noun: 'makeup' used without an article
The shop near the station sells makeup from Korean and Japanese brands.
Caleb used a wet tissue to wipe the makeup off his face after filming.
- wear makeup
- put on makeup
- take off makeup
- makeup bag
- makeup remover
- cosmetics
more formal or clinical; often used on product labels
Grammar Patterns
wear makeup
put on makeup
Common Mistakes
2. a cream or liquid product that people put on areas of skin away from the face, s
a cream or liquid product that people put on areas of skin away from the face, such as the arms or legs, to hide marks or even out the skin tone.
Roya uses a special body makeup to cover the dark patch of skin on her arm.
used for covering skin marks or tattoos
Élise wore body makeup so her tattoos would not show on stage.
Adisa bought a waterproof body makeup to even out his skin colour for the beach.
The swimmer used body makeup to cover the birthmark on her shoulder before the competition.
- body makeup
- waterproof makeup
- cover-up cream
- concealer
usually refers to a product for the face only, not the whole body
Grammar Patterns
wear body makeup
apply makeup to
Usage Note
This sense is used especially for products that conceal scars, birthmarks, tattoos, or skin colour differences on the arms, legs, and torso.
3. the combination of wigs, coloured creams, powders, and other materials that acto
the combination of wigs, coloured creams, powders, and other materials that actors and performers use to change their appearance for a role in a play, film, or show.
The actors spent an hour putting on their makeup before the evening show.
Daichi studied special-effects makeup to create realistic injuries for movies.
compound noun: special-effects makeup
The makeup for the ghost character included white powder and dark eye circles.
Gabriel helped his little sister put on her clown makeup for the school fancy-dress party.
- stage makeup
- special-effects makeup
- theatrical makeup
- makeup artist
- stage makeup
specifically for theatre performances under bright lights
- face paint
simpler, less professional; often used for children or casual costumes
Grammar Patterns
put on makeup for a role
stage makeup
Usage Note
Also refers to the full set of materials and products used, including wigs, false eyelashes, and artificial noses or scars.
4. the particular set of parts, qualities, or ingredients that together form someth
the particular set of parts, qualities, or ingredients that together form something, such as a substance, a group, or a system.
The genetic makeup of a plant decides what colour its flowers will be.
collocation: genetic makeup
Pim studied the chemical makeup of the water in the local river.
The social makeup of the town changed after the new factory opened.
collocation: social makeup
Researchers analysed the nutritional makeup of different breakfast cereals.
- genetic makeup
- chemical makeup
- social makeup
- physical makeup
- makeup of
- composition
more formal; interchangeable in most contexts
- structure
focuses on how parts are arranged, not just what they are
- constitution
formal; often used for scientific or legal contexts
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] makeup of [noun]
Usage Note
Often appears with a descriptive adjective before it (e.g., genetic, chemical, social, physical, nutritional) that identifies what kind of composition is being discussed.
Common Mistakes
5. the set of qualities, feelings, and natural tendencies that form a person's char
the set of qualities, feelings, and natural tendencies that form a person's character or personality.
Anya has a strong emotional makeup that helps her stay calm in stressful times.
collocation: emotional makeup
Marta's cultural makeup was shaped by growing up in both Japan and Brazil.
The psychological makeup of the character made him suspicious of everyone.
Brandon's curious and adventurous makeup made him want to travel the world.
- emotional makeup
- psychological makeup
- cultural makeup
- mental makeup
- character
broader; includes moral qualities, not just natural tendencies
- nature
refers to inborn qualities that are hard to change
- temperament
focuses on emotional responses and mood patterns
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] makeup
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 (COMPOSITION): sense 4 describes the parts of a thing or system; this sense describes the inner nature of a person. Sense 5 can only be used with people or living beings.
6. the way that text, images, and other elements are arranged on a page in a newspa
the way that text, images, and other elements are arranged on a page in a newspaper, book, or magazine, or the process of arranging them before printing
The designer checked the page makeup before sending the file to the printing company.
Newspaper page makeup is now done completely on computer screens.
technical term in publishing
The magazine's page makeup team worked late to fit all the advertisements into the issue.
A change in page makeup meant the article had to be shortened by two paragraphs.
The newspaper's makeup was changed to give the front page a cleaner, more modern look.
passive: makeup was changed / was redesigned
The designer spent hours adjusting the makeup of the annual report so each section began on a fresh page.
collocation: makeup of [document]
- page makeup
- makeup editor
- makeup of a page
- page layout
more common in general design contexts; not specific to printing
- typesetting
focuses on text arrangement only, not images
Grammar Patterns
page makeup
makeup of a page
Usage Note
A technical term used in publishing and graphic design. Can refer to the process of arranging elements on a page (typesetting/layout work) or the resulting visual arrangement. In modern contexts, 'page layout' is more common outside the printing industry.
7. a substance, item, or amount that is added to replace something that has been us
a substance, item, or amount that is added to replace something that has been used up, lost, or removed during a process
The power plant pumps makeup water into the cooling towers each day to replace what has evaporated.
compound noun: makeup water
Astrid added makeup air to the laboratory ventilation system so the pressure stayed balanced.
compound noun: makeup air
The fund required a makeup contribution from each member after the unexpected expenses were reported.
compound noun: makeup contribution
A steady makeup of nutrients was fed into the fish tanks to keep the water safe for the young salmon.
pattern: makeup of [substance]
The factory ordered a makeup batch of chemicals after the first supply was contaminated by the flood.
attributive: makeup batch
- makeup water
- makeup air
- makeup capital
- makeup contribution
- makeup batch
- replacement
more general and widely used; 'makeup' is restricted to technical contexts
- supplement
suggests an addition rather than a replacement for something lost
Usage Note
Most commonly used as an attributive noun before a second noun (makeup water, makeup air, makeup capital). The uncountable form is typical; a countable form (a makeup) may appear in industry contexts when a specific batch or delivery is meant.
Common Mistakes
8. a test, lesson, sports match, or other scheduled activity that takes place at a
a test, lesson, sports match, or other scheduled activity that takes place at a later time because the original one was missed or cancelled
Students who missed the final exam can register for a makeup to be held in January.
countable noun: a makeup
The two teams played a makeup on Tuesday after their Saturday match was rained out completely.
My daughter attended a makeup for the swimming lesson she had missed during her illness.
attributive + preposition: makeup for [missed event]
The airline offered passengers a makeup flight the next morning after the original departure was cancelled.
Because the power failure shut the school for three days, the principal announced makeups for all missed final exams.
plural form: makeups
- a makeup exam
- a makeup game
- a makeup class
- a makeup flight
- a makeup performance
- take a makeup
- schedule a makeup
- retake
specifically for exams or tests; suggests the person repeats the same assessment
- rescheduled event
more formal and general; does not imply the original was necessarily missed through personal fault
Usage Note
More common in American English than British English. The plural form 'makeups' is standard. A related phrasal verb is 'make up' in the sense 'to reschedule'. Distinguish from sense 8 (replacement substance) which does not refer to events.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- make-upadjectiveB1
- makeup artistnounB1
- makeup removernounB1
- makeup bagnounA2
- makeup examnounB1
- makeup testnounB1
- makeup casenounB1
- makeup mirrornounA2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/4
These words overlap with sense 4 (BE COMPOSED OF) of 'be made up of', but differ in structure and formality. COMPOSE is the closest synonym and is also typically used in the passive ('is composed of'); it is more formal than 'be made up of' and more common in academic writing. COMPRISE takes the whole as its subject and the parts as its object ('The committee comprises twelve members'), whereas 'be made up of' takes the whole as the subject and uses 'of' to introduce the parts. CONSTITUTE is the reverse of 'make up' in the active voice: 'Twelve members constitute the committee' (parts → whole). ACCOUNT FOR is used with percentages and quantitative data ('Women account for 60% of staff'), which aligns more with sense 3 (FORM A TOTAL). For learners: use 'be made up of' in everyday speech and 'be composed of' in formal writing. Example: 'The team is made up of players from six countries' (natural speech) vs 'The sample was composed of 80% female participants' (academic).
Common collocations
Phrases
- make up for lost time
- make it up to someone
- be made up of
- make up one's mind
- make up with someone
- make up to someone
- wear makeup
- put on makeup
- take off makeup
- heavy makeup
- natural makeup
- genetic makeup
- ethnic makeup
- social makeup
- page makeup
- makeup exam
- makeup test
- makeup artist
- makeup remover
- makeup bag
Etymology
「make up」這個片語動詞最早出現在14世紀左右，由動詞「make」（製造）和副詞「up」（向上、完成）組合而成，最初的意思是「把分散的部分拼成一個完整的東西」或「完成某件事」。到了18世紀，這個片語衍生出「編造故事」和「化妝打扮」等引申義。1880年代左右，人們開始把「make up」合寫成名詞「makeup」，專門指稱口紅、粉底、眼影等臉部化妝品，因為這些產品的功能就是「修飾」或「補足」臉部的缺點。到了20世紀中期，名詞「makeup」又進一步延伸出「構成方式」、「組成成分」等抽象用法，例如「genetic makeup」（基因組成）。