make up

present singular third person makes up · participle present making up · participle past made up · past made up

1. To constitute, to compose.
   1. transitiveTo constitute the components of a whole.First known use 16th c.

      The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the water-oxidizing complex, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom.

      2013 September–October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News: Photosynthesis Precursor”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 5, New Haven, Conn.: Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 03 Sep 2013, page 328

      1 more example

      The words "dream interpretation" […] remind one of all sorts of childish, superstitious notions, which make up the thread and woof of dream books, read by none but the ignorant and the primitive.

      1920, M. D. Eder, Dream Psychology, translation of original by Sigmund Freud

      Synonyms: compose, form, compose, compound, comprise, constitute, form, indite

2. To compensate, to fill in, to catch up.
   1. transitiveTo compensate for (a deficiency, defect, etc.); to supply (something missing).First known use 15th c.

      He can make up the time next week.

      2 more examples

      The Argentine found Dzeko and his killer ball was timed brilliantly for the Ivorian, who made up 90 yards, to slot in.

      2011 January 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Man City 4 – 3 Wolves”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 30 Sep 2018

      Still, by omitting some stops and running fast to Exmouth it makes up those lost minutes, and I get back to Exmouth bang on time at 2019, tired but happy.

      2025 November 12, 'Mystery Shopper', “Is Devon the cream of the crop?”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 48

   2. intransitiveTo compensate (for).First known use 18th c.

      I plan to make up for my failed midterm.

      5 more examples

      What I lack in patience, I make up for in drive.

      Cuba took limited free market-oriented measures to alleviate severe shortages of food, consumer goods, and services to make up for the ending of Soviet subsidies.

      The corn ration was drastically reduced, and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it.

      1943 November – 1944 February (date written; published 1945 August 17), George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg, published May 1962, →OCLC

      Referring to the "hero of the day," No. 92220, Mr. Hanks acceded that she was not of the Great Western breed, but they had done their best to make up for that by "dollying her up in good old Western colours and conferring upon her the finest honour we can—the halo or crown of Swindon, the copper top to her chimney."

      1960 May 28, “Evening Star”, in Railway Magazine, page 307, referring to a new steam locomotive, the last built for British Railways

      Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

      1963, Margery Allingham, “Meeting Point”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 232

3. To invent, to imagine, to concoct
   1. To invent or fabricate (a story, claim, etc.).First known use 17th c.

      He was a great storyteller and could make up a story on the spot.

      1 more example

      After she told her parents about her grandfather's actions, their small flutter of support was followed by her mother's claim that she had made it all up.

      2000, Norma Jean Profitt, Women Survivors, Psychological Trauma, and the Politics of Resistance, Taylor & Francis, page 99

      Synonyms: fabulate

4. To assemble, to prepare.
   1. To compile or draw up (a list, document, etc.).First known use 14th c.
   2. To put together (a substance, material, garment, medicine, etc.) into a specific form; to assemble.First known use 16th c.

      I can make up a batch of stew in a few minutes, but it will take a few hours to cook.

      1 more example

      Like their mentors, they sang "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" and "I'm Not A Teenage Delinquent," and even had letter sweaters made up with huge "S"'s on them.

      1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, →ISBN, page 323

   3. intransitivereflexivetransitiveTo prepare (someone) for a theatrical performance by means of costume, cosmetics, etc.First known use 18th c.
5. To apply cosmetics.
   1. intransitivereflexivetransitiveTo apply cosmetics or makeup to (a face, facial feature).First known use 18th c.

      Let's leave as soon as I make up my face.

      1 more example

      She rushed into her bedroom to make up.

      1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 617

      Synonyms: cosmeticize, fard

6. To make peace, to settle a dispute.
   1. intransitivetransitiveTo resolve or settle an argument, dispute, conflict, or fight (e.g., with someone).First known use 17th c.

      They fight a lot, but they always manage to make up.

      3 more examples

      Miss Palmer and I made up, though she scolded most violently about my long absence, and attacked me about the Book without mercy.

      1782, Frances Burney, Journals & Letters, Penguin, published 2001, page 180

      Why somebody, why people break up / Turn around and make up, I just can't see / You'd never do that to me, would you baby?

      1971, “Let's Stay Together”, performed by Al Green

      But she ended the interview with CNN, when asked if there could be reconciliation with Trump, by saying: “Well, I certainly hope that we can make up. I can only speak for myself. I’m a Christian and one of the most important parts of our faith is forgiveness, and that’s something I’m committed to.”

      2025 November 16, Joanna Walters, “Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump’s remarks hurtful but hopes they can make up”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

      Synonyms: make peace

7. To arrange, to advance.
   1. obsoleteTo arrange (a marriage); to organise (a treaty).First known use 16th–19th c.
   2. To draw near to, approach to.First known use 16th c.

      On this they made up to me, and were about to handle me; but I told them to be still and keep off […].

      1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 8, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I

      1 more example

      They in their turns made up to her, and expressed their surprize and concern at finding her in the assembly unprovided, after she had declined their invitation […].

      1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC

   3. To make social or romantic advances to; to pay court to.First known use 18th c.

      She would laugh and pretend to flirt like the Pooles and make up to him—and it would be lovely for a little while.

      1915, Dorothy Richardson, Pointed Roofs, Broadview, published 2014, page 200

      1 more example

      She thought he was making up to her—of course, at the time I believed her and I let him go, but I know now it was all nonsense.

      1934, F[rancis] Scott Fitzgerald, chapter III, in Malcolm Cowley, editor, Tender is the Night […], New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, published 1951, →OCLC, book I (Case History: 1917–1919), page 16

8. To build, to complete.
   1. obsoleteTo build, construct (a tower, city, etc.).First known use 14th–15th c.
   2. obsoleteTo build up (a bank, wall, etc.) where it has fallen away; to repair.First known use 15th–17th c.

      Yee haue not gone vp into the gaps, neither made vp the hedge for the house of Israel.

      1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezekial XIII:5

plural make ups

1. alternativeAlternative form of makeup.