touch-up

1 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2

verb

touched up; touching up; touches up

transitive verb

1
: to improve or perfect by small additional strokes or alterations : fix the minor and usually visible defects or damages of
2
: to stimulate by or as if by a flick of a whip

Examples of touch-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Raven, the makeup artist, was nevertheless watching the monitors in case touch-ups were needed. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 Come to find out, his cut, dye and touch-up came from Figo Salon in Birmingham, and the same color is available there to anyone with a few hours and a few hundred dollars to devote to demonstrating their Lions fervor from the top down. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2024 Waxing or eyebrow threading can require weekly or bi-weekly touch-ups, depending on the individual. Essence, 16 Feb. 2024 Guests like Precious Lee and Jasmine Tookes were spotted getting lip gloss touch-ups; Ryan Destiny and Justine Skye were mingling near the photo booth. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2024 The treatments are scheduled five weeks apart, with free touch-ups at any Milan Laser. Stepfanie Romine, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 And, of course, to keep them grounded through the week are their favorite beauty items: everything from a go-to hand lotion to defend against the winter winds, to lip oils and blushes for quick touch-ups. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 7 Feb. 2024 Medium-sized tanks may be better for regular home use and wardrobe needs, and small tanks are ideal for quick touch-ups while traveling. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2024 Unlike some sharpeners, this one features two slots: one for sharpening dull or damaged blades, as well as a second designed for quick touch-ups on knifes that are already sharp. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2024
Verb
The refreshed clip opens with footage of MC getting touched up backstage before a quick cut of super-excited fans in their Santa finest getting pumped for the show. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Dec. 2023 But before officially entering the ceremony, the two paused for a moment to catch their breath — and to help touch up each other’s hair and makeup because that's what girlfriends are for. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 My actresses frequently work really long hours and are constantly being touched up with powder, etc. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The jewelry armoire comes with an LED mirror which is perfect for touching up your makeup. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2024 Women sit in their studio chairs, touching up their make-up one last time before strutting off to dance. By Chloe Herring, Brooke Henderson and Samantha J. Gross, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 In an Instagram video posted on Monday, the actress (while getting her blonde hair touched up), shared a video of a few other key viral moments from her red carpet résumé. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 22 Jan. 2024 Refurbishing includes taking the chairs apart, cleaning the mesh and frames, touching up paint, replacing the pads, checking and adjusting the tilt, and — yes — replacing the cylinder. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 There's no need to touch up roots for this low-maintenance look. 02 Super Sombré Sombré, or subtle ombré, is becoming the new norm with delicate color techniques like balayage. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touch-up.' 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

1733, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch-up was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near touch-up

Cite this Entry

“Touch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch-up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

touch-up

1 of 2 noun
ˈtəch-ˌəp
: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)təch-ˈəp
: to improve by or as if by small changes : fix the little imperfections of
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!