French word

maquiller

Pronunciation

IPA/makije/

Meaning

  • verbput on makeup

Example

Je me maquille rapidement.

I put on makeup quickly.

Illustration for maquiller (put on makeup)

More examples

Elle se fait maquiller par une amie pour la soirée.

She has a friend do her makeup for the evening.

Core concept

A crafted surface layer changes what a face, body, or situation appears to be.

Common phrases

  • se maquiller

    put on makeup

  • se faire maquiller

    have one's makeup done

  • maquiller le teint

    apply makeup to the complexion

Similar words

se maquiller: Apply makeup to the face as part of one's grooming routine.
appliquer: Smooth makeup or cream evenly onto the skin with a finger or sponge.
camoufler: Cover skin flaws with makeup or color so they are less noticeable.
farder: Apply foundation or blush to give the face more color.

Definition in French

Appliquer du maquillage sur le visage ou le corps pour modifier ou embellir l'apparence ; par extension, dissimuler ou déformer la réalité.

Word origin

French maquiller is an old verb with an uncertain deeper origin, and its concrete makeup sense extended to the figurative idea of disguising facts.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form se maquiller means to apply makeup to oneself, while maquiller quelqu'un means to apply it to another person.

Other meanings

  • disguiseverb
  • falsifyverb

Opposites

Related words

  • maquillagemakeupnoun
  • démaquillantmakeup removernoun
  • maquillémade-upadjective

Word lists with this word