makeup
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for makeup, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The way something is put together; its composition or make-up of parts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use makeup
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed from the phrasal verb "make up." The cosmetics sense borrows the idea from French maquillage, "to make up" a face.
Full origin of makeup →Frequently asked questions
What does “makeup” mean?
The word “makeup” means the way something is put together; its composition or make-up of parts. In plain terms, either what something is made of, or the cosmetics you put on your face — context makes it obvious which.
How do you pronounce “makeup”?
“Makeup” is pronounced MAY-kuhp (/ˈmeɪkʌp/ in IPA).
How do you use “makeup” in a sentence?
Here is “makeup” used in a sentence: “The genetic makeup of the two species is surprisingly similar.”
What is another word for “makeup”?
Words with a similar meaning to “makeup” include configuration, constitution, form, beauty products, cosmetics and product.
What part of speech is “makeup”?
“Makeup” is a noun.
Where does the word “makeup” come from?
The word “makeup” comes from French. Formed from the phrasal verb "make up." The cosmetics sense borrows the idea from French maquillage, "to make up" a face.
Is “makeup” a common word?
“Makeup” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “makeup” have?
“Makeup” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way something is put together; its composition or make-up of parts.
Is it makeup, make-up, or make up?
As a noun, both "makeup" (preferred in American English) and "make-up" (common in British English) are correct. Written as two separate words, "make up" is a verb phrase with different meanings, such as inventing something ("make up a story") or reconciling ("they made up after the argument").
What is the difference between makeup and cosmetics?
The words overlap heavily, but "cosmetics" is the broader, slightly more formal term and can include skincare and beauty products in general. "Makeup" usually refers specifically to colour products applied to the face or skin to enhance or change appearance, such as foundation, mascara, and lipstick.
Is makeup singular or plural?
"Makeup" is an uncountable noun in both its main senses, so it has no normal plural: you wear makeup, not "makeups," and you discuss the makeup of a team, not its "makeups." To count items, use countable phrases such as "makeup products" or "items of makeup."