touch-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈtəch-ˌəp How to pronounce touch-up (audio)
Synonyms of touch-upnext
: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2

verb

touched up; touching up; touches up

transitive verb

1
: to improve or perfect by small additional strokes or alterations : fix the minor and usually visible defects or damages of
2
: to stimulate by or as if by a flick of a whip

Examples of touch-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Another multitasking product, it can be used as a primer, a refreshing spray for touch-ups, or a setting spray. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026 Caroline gave her mom a quick touch-up while Jackie visited Caroline’s classroom in 1962. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Verb
Quinn rushed back to the venue, changed into her new dress, and touched up her makeup within a few minutes and was just in time for family photos. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 According to Farel, traditional coverage can mean touching up roots approximately every four weeks, while blending techniques may stretch appointments to every eight to 12 weeks. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touch-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1733, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch-up was in 1656

Rhymes for touch-up

See All Rhymes for touch-up

Browse Nearby Words

touch-type
touch-up
touch up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch-up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

touch-up

1 of 2 noun
ˈtəch-ˌəp
: an act or instance of touching up

touch up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)təch-ˈəp
: to improve by or as if by small changes : fix the little imperfections of
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All