Makeup, make-up or make up

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Grammarist

Makeup is 1.) cosmetics 2.) the composition of something 3.) in American English, a special test or assignment given to a student who has missed a test or assignment. Make up is used as a noun or an adjective. Makeup may also be rendered as the hyphenated make-up, though since the 1980s the hyphen has been dropped for the most part. The word makeup was coined in 1821 to mean manner in which something is put together, it was first used to mean cosmetics in 1886.

Make up is a verb phrase which means 1.) to compose 2.) to invent 3.) to arrange 4.) to apply cosmetics 5.) to reconcile after a quarrel. Make up is also used as an adjective.

Examples

The Columbian singer celebrated her 39th birthday by reminding us all how glowing she is without a drop of makeup on, posting a picture of her “birthday bun” on her official social media accounts. (USA Today)

And at this point she might as well just move into Lagerfeld’s guest room, she’s got so much going on for the brand — after all, it was just announced that she’ll front its next makeup campaign. (People Magazine)

Gender makeup of Allegheny County Council a concern for some (The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

That was the makeup of Arsenal’s midfield for their FA Cup fourth round clash with Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with Mohamed Elneny making his debut, Francis Coquelin back from injury and Alex Iwobi handed only a third start of his senior career. (The National)

Stacy Caldwell, College Board’s vice president for college readiness assessment, said the makeup test will probably be scheduled in a month or so, according to Associated Press. (The South China Morning POst)

Kristen Stewart has landed an amazing new beauty gig: she’s the new face of Chanel make-up. (Marie Claire Magazine)

John Elway realizes as well as anyone just how difficult a decision it is for an elite quarterback to retire, and he has no plans of putting pressure on Peyton Manning to make up his mind right away. (The Columbus Dispatch)

If you missed Bruce Springsteen’s Madison Square Garden concert due to Mother Nature’s interference, the Boss has something to make up for the disappointment. (Billboard Magazine)