airbrush

1 of 2

noun

air·​brush ˈer-ˌbrəsh How to pronounce airbrush (audio)
: an atomizer for applying by compressed air a fine spray (as of paint or liquid color)

airbrush

2 of 2

verb

airbrushed; airbrushing; airbrushes

transitive verb

: to paint, treat, or alter (as to conceal imperfections) with or as if with an airbrush
airbrush a photograph

Examples of airbrush in a Sentence

Verb That photograph must have been airbrushed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
One actor after another sat for May to apply makeup with an airbrush. Robert Trussell, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024 But before the airbrush magic happened, McGrath and her team walked viewers through the makeup application. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024 Using a spoon to protect the eye and lip makeup, the makeup artist loaded the concoction into an airbrush tool to spray on the models’ faces. Essence, 2 Feb. 2024 Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen painted a black half-moon at the base of the nail and a diffused airbrush effect on the tip against a dark neon pink base. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2024 Hudson's television set, which is typically chic, was turned into a tribute to hip-hop with the show title displayed in colorful airbrush lettering on a brick wall. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023 Made in Italy, the handcrafted porcelain plates feature dawn and dusk hues applied with an airbrush technique for an elegant finish. Casey Clark, wsj.com, 24 Oct. 2023 Look for a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, airbrush tattoos, food trucks and music by Jennifer Fletcher & The Reckoning. Antioch Fall Wine Walk: 12-4 p.m. Sept. 23. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023 Alo's patented airbrush fabric lifts and supports the breasts and offers light support for both the studio and the street. Lily Wohlner, Women's Health, 28 July 2023
Verb
As seen in her Instagram posts, the Grammy winner rocked a leather trench coat that appeared to be airbrushed with different shades of blue paint. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Fueled by post-show video footage of models shedding what appeared to be a second skin, some to believe that McGrath had used a peel-off mask diluted with water and airbrushed on in layers. Claire Coleman, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 Parsons tested it out herself by watering down the cult-favorite face mask from the mid-2000s and airbrushing it onto her skin in layers. Annie Blay, Allure, 30 Jan. 2024 Likewise, framing the contest in existential terms pushes the United States to pursue policies that seek China’s collapse, while airbrushing the danger and self-harm that such a strategy would invite. Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 Twigs donned a snake airbrushed on her body and frosty pink makeup. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 Oct. 2023 In 1999, the fashion photographer known for his colorful, exaggerated pop art lens shot the rapper completely naked — save for Louis Vuitton logos airbrushed on her skin — for the cover of Interview magazine. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2023 Any pain or insecurity of theirs was airbrushed away, erased by the opulence of a Versace gown or the structure of an Azzedine Alaïa dress. Dina Gachman, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2023 And, as other entities in the fashion world have been airbrushed and transformed over the last five decades, its brown-kraft-paper visage has had no significant face-lifts. Hilary Reid, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airbrush.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airbrush was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near airbrush

Cite this Entry

“Airbrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airbrush. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

airbrush

noun
air·​brush
ˈa(ə)r-ˌbrəsh,
ˈe(ə)r-
: a device that uses compressed air to apply a liquid (as paint or a protective coating) as a fine spray
airbrush verb

More from Merriam-Webster on airbrush

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