Makeup vs Make Up

Type your word here
Try:

What’s the difference between them?

Makeup

Meaning:

Makeup is a noun that means a form of cosmetic application used to enhance one's appearance.

Examples:

1. She spent hours getting ready for the party, perfecting her makeup.

2. She was a makeup artist, specializing in creating natural looks.

3. He was surprised to see his daughter wearing makeup at such a young age.

Make Up

Meaning:

Verb that means to compose or invent (something), especially as a way to compensate for a deficiency or to make up a face with cosmetics.

Examples:

1. I always like to make up stories to tell my friends.

2. I'm going to make up an excuse to get out of this meeting.

3. She always makes up for her mistakes with kind gestures.

Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference

Synonyms

Antonyms

Makeup

1. Cosmetics

2. Facial Products

3. Beauty Supplies

4. Toiletries

5. War Paint

1. Removal

2. Natural Look

3. Plainness

4. Unadorned

5. Undecorated

Make Up

1. Compose

2. Construct

3. Forge

4. Put together

5. Assemble

6. Fabricate

7. Fashion

8. Create

9. Conjure

10. Put on cosmetics

1. Break Up

2. Separate

3. Disassemble

4. Unify

5. Take Apart

6. Put Away

7. Disunite

8. Disagree

9. Put an End to

10. Negate

Tricks for mastery

Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Makeup", "Make Up".

1. Makeup is a noun that refers to cosmetics used for beauty and fashion purposes such as foundation, lipstick, and mascara.

2. Make up, with a space, is a verb meaning to assemble, put together, or put on cosmetics.

3. Mnemonic phrase: 'Makeup is on your face, but make up is to put it on your face.'

Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words

Frequently asked questions

In what situations should the first word 'makeup' be used?

Makeup usually refers to cosmetics like foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush that is used to enhance one's appearance. It is most commonly used in a beauty or fashion context, such as a makeup tutorial or a beauty product review.

When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'make up'?

The phrase 'make up' can be used in various contexts. It typically means to fix or repair something that is broken, or to compose or arrange something that is new. It can also be used in a figurative sense, like when someone says 'let's make up' after a fight, meaning to patch up their differences.

Do the two words share the same pronunciation?

Yes, both 'makeup' and 'make up' are pronounced the same, with the emphasis on the second syllable.

What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?

The most common mistake is confusing these two words. While makeup is a noun referring to cosmetics, make up is a phrase that can have many different meanings depending on the context. It is important to be aware of the context before using these words.

Fill in the gaps to check yourself

1. She always takes time to __ her face before going out.

2. Im not sure what __ he was wearing, but it was really dark.

3. She spent hours trying to find the perfect __ for the event.

4. He bought a new __ kit for his sister.

5. She always puts on a full __ before going out.

6. He wasnt sure what to do, so he just tried to __ the situation.

1. She always takes time to make up her face before going out.

Explanation: Make up is the correct phrase to use in this context, as it denotes the action of applying cosmetics and other products to the face in order to enhance or alter ones appearance.

2. Im not sure what makeup he was wearing, but it was really dark.

Explanation: Makeup is the correct word to use in this context, as it refers to the cosmetics and products used to enhance or alter ones appearance.

3. She spent hours trying to find the perfect makeup for the event.

Explanation: Makeup is the correct word to use in this context, as it refers to the cosmetics and products used to enhance or alter ones appearance.

4. He bought a new makeup kit for his sister.

Explanation: Makeup is the correct word to use in this context, as it refers to the cosmetics and products used to enhance or alter ones appearance.

5. She always puts on a full makeup before going out.

Explanation: Makeup is the correct word to use in this context, as it refers to the cosmetics and products used to enhance or alter ones appearance.

6. He wasnt sure what to do, so he just tried to make up the situation.

Explanation: Make up is the correct phrase to use in this context, as it denotes the action of reconciling or attempting to mend a situation which has become tense or difficult.

Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!

Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.

List of Commonly Confused Words

Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.