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make up

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/

make up means: To invent a story, reason, or piece of information, sometimes to deceive someone.

verb

INVENTB1

To invent a story, reason, or piece of information, sometimes to deceive someone.

  • Let us make up a story.
  • She made up a reason to leave early.
  • Did you make those figures up?

How to use it: make up something / make something up (He made up an excuse for missing school.); make it/them up (That story is not true; I made it up.)

Similar words: invent, fabricate

Common phrases: make up stories, make up something, make up excuses

BECOME FRIENDS AGAINB1

To stop arguing and become friendly with someone again.

  • We argued, but we made up.
  • Have you made up with your brother?
  • They always kiss and make up after a fight.

How to use it: make up with someone (I made up with my sister yesterday.); make up after something (They made up after their argument.)

Similar words: reconcile, make peace

Common phrases: make up afterwards, make up again, kiss and make up

REPLACE WHAT’S MISSINGB2

To provide extra time, money, or effort to replace something missing or lost.

  • I will make up the missing hours.
  • They gave us money to make up the difference.
  • Can you make the lost time up tomorrow?

How to use it: make up something / make something up (She worked late to make up the lost hours.)

Similar words: compensate, replace

Common phrases: make up time, make up something, make up losses, make up for something

PREPAREC1

To prepare something by putting its parts or ingredients together.

  • She made up a batch of soup.
  • The nurse made up a fresh solution.
  • Can you make these fabric pieces up into a dress?

How to use it: make up something / make something up (The pharmacist made up the medicine.)

Similar words: prepare, assemble

Common phrases: make up something, make up medicine, make up parcels

APPLY COSMETICSB2

To put coloured creams or powders on a face to change its appearance.

  • She made up her eyes.
  • They made the actors up before filming.
  • Who will make up the dancers tonight?

How to use it: make up someone/something / make someone/something up (The artist made up her face for the show.)

Similar words: apply makeup

Common phrases: make up someone, make up eyes, make up actors

Questions about make up

What does make up mean?

To invent a story, reason, or piece of information, sometimes to deceive someone.

What is make up in other languages?

Türkçe: uydurmak · Español: inventar · Français: inventer · Deutsch: erfinden · Italiano: inventare · 日本語: 作り上げる

How do you pronounce make up?

It is pronounced /ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/.

How do you use make up in a sentence?

Let us make up a story. She made up a reason to leave early.

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