Definition

Noun 1. The way in which someone or something is composed; the combination of constituent parts. 2. An event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event. 3. Cosmetics applied to the face to improve or change one's appearance.

Usage and Examples

1. Referring to composition or constitution:

   • The genetic makeup of an organism determines its traits.
   • The committee's political makeup was very diverse.

2. Referring to a rescheduled event:

   • The professor scheduled a makeup exam for students who were ill.
   • The rained-out game will be played as a makeup next Tuesday.

3. Referring to cosmetics:

   • She applied her makeup carefully before the interview.
   • He works as a makeup artist for a theater company.

Advanced Usage

• "Makeup of": A common collocation used to describe the constituent parts of something.
  • The report analyzed the demographic makeup of the city.
• "Makeup work": Refers to school assignments or tests that must be completed after an absence.
  • She stayed after class to discuss her makeup work.

Variants and Related Words

• Make-up (noun): An alternative hyphenated spelling for all noun definitions.
• Make up (phrasal verb): This is a separate verb phrase with distinct meanings (e.g., to invent, to reconcile, to constitute).
  • They decided to make up after their argument. (This is the phrasal verb, not the noun "makeup").

Synonyms

1. For composition: constitution, structure, formation, arrangement, configuration.
2. For a rescheduled event: replacement, substitute, rescheduled event.
3. For cosmetics: cosmetics, face paint, maquillage.

Notes on Different Meanings

The three primary meanings of the noun "makeup" are distinct. Context is essential to determine whether one is discussing physical/abstract composition, a rescheduled appointment, or cosmetics. The spelling "make-up" is also correct but less common in modern American English for definitions 1 and 2.

Noun

1. the way in which someone or something is composed
2. an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event
   • he missed the test and had to take a makeup
   • the two teams played a makeup one week later
3. cosmetics applied to the face to improve or change your appearance