Make up
verb
To invent something, such as a story or an excuse.
She made up a story about being late.
Often appears as...
- make up a story
- make up an excuse
verb
To forgive someone and be friendly with them again after an argument or disagreement.
They had a big fight but made up soon after.
Often appears as...
- make up after a fight
- make up with someone
verb
To apply cosmetics to your face to enhance or change your appearance.
She spends a lot of time making up before going out.
Often appears as...
- make up your face
- put on make up
verb
To constitute or form as a whole from smaller parts.
Children make up more than half of the refugee population.
Often appears as...
- make up a population
- make up a team
Usage tips
General, Academic
verb
To do something that will compensate for past mistakes or shortcomings.
I messed up at work, so I’m staying late to make up for it.
Often appears as...
- make up for mistakes
- make up for shortcomings
verb
To invent something, such as a story or an excuse.
She made up a story about being late.
Often appears as...
- make up a story
- make up an excuse
verb
To forgive someone and be friendly with them again after an argument or disagreement.
They had a big fight but made up soon after.
Often appears as...
- make up after a fight
- make up with someone
verb
To apply cosmetics to your face to enhance or change your appearance.
She spends a lot of time making up before going out.
Often appears as...
- make up your face
- put on make up
verb
To constitute or form as a whole from smaller parts.
Children make up more than half of the refugee population.
Often appears as...
- make up a population
- make up a team
Usage tips
General, Academic
verb
To do something that will compensate for past mistakes or shortcomings.
I messed up at work, so I’m staying late to make up for it.
Often appears as...
- make up for mistakes
- make up for shortcomings
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Creative Excuses
Used when someone creates an untrue explanation to avoid consequences.
He made up a reason for being late to escape punishment.
Pro Tip 2/2Fiction Telling
Implies the story is completely imagined and not real.
The children enjoyed when their grandfather made up tales of adventure.
Pro Tip 1/2Creative Excuses
Used when someone creates an untrue explanation to avoid consequences.
He made up a reason for being late to escape punishment.
Pro Tip 2/2Fiction Telling
Implies the story is completely imagined and not real.
The children enjoyed when their grandfather made up tales of adventure.
Pro Tip 1/2Creative Excuses
Used when someone creates an untrue explanation to avoid consequences.
He made up a reason for being late to escape punishment.
Pro Tip 2/2Fiction Telling
Implies the story is completely imagined and not real.
The children enjoyed when their grandfather made up tales of adventure.
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