make up

Verb

make up (third-person singular simple present makes up, present participle making up, simple past and past participle made up)

1. To constitute, to compose.
   1. (transitive) To constitute the components of a whole.
      • 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
      • 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...
2. (transitive) To compensate for (a deficiency, defect, etc.); to supply (something missing).
   • He can make up the time next week.
   • 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
3. (intransitive) To compensate (for).
   • What I lack in patience, I make up for in drive.
   • I plan to make up for my failed midterm.
4. To invent, to imagine, to concoct
   1. To invent or fabricate (a story, claim, etc.).
      • He was a great storyteller and could make up a story on the spot.
      • 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
5. To compile or draw up (a list, document, etc.).
6. To put together (a substance, material, garment, medicine, etc.) into a specific form; to assemble.
   • I can make up a batch of stew in a few minutes, but it will take a few hours to cook.
   • 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
7. (intransitive, reflexive, transitive) To prepare (someone) for a theatrical performance by means of costume, cosmetics, etc.
8. To apply cosmetics.
   1. (intransitive, reflexive, transitive) To apply cosmetics or makeup to (a face, facial feature).
      • Let's leave as soon as I make up my face.
      • She rushed into her bedroom to make up.1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 617
9. To make peace, to settle a dispute.
   1. (intransitive, transitive) To resolve or settle an argument, dispute, conflict, or fight (e.g., with someone).
      • They fight a lot, but they always manage to make up.
      • 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
10. (obsolete) To arrange (a marriage); to organise (a treaty).
11. To draw near to, approach to.
    • 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
    • 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
12. To make social or romantic advances to; to pay court to.
    • 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
    • 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)...
13. (obsolete) To build, construct (a tower, city, etc.).
14. (obsolete) To build up (a bank, wall, etc.) where it has fallen away; to repair.
    • 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