makeover
B2Informal, common in lifestyle, media, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A set of improvements to the appearance of something or someone, typically involving new clothes, hairstyle, and/or cosmetics.
A complete process of renovation, transformation, or restructuring applied to any entity (e.g., business, room, system) to give it a new, improved form or function.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; the related phrasal verb is 'to make over' (verb). The concept is inherently positive, implying beneficial change and improvement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or spelling. Both varieties commonly use the compound noun.
Connotations
Identical connotations of improvement and renewal.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, heavily influenced by media and consumer culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + a makeover (get, give, need, undergo)[adjective] + makeover (complete, dramatic, radical)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A new lease of life (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to rebranding, restructuring, or redesigning a company's image or products.
Academic
Rare; might be used metaphorically in social sciences to discuss image reconstruction.
Everyday
Very common for discussing personal appearance, home decoration, or lifestyle changes.
Technical
Used in media, marketing, and design industries to describe a planned redesign process.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to make over the charity's entire branding.
- The garden was completely made over last summer.
American English
- We need to make over our outdated website.
- The house was made over into a modern open-plan space.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable; 'makeover' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable; 'makeover' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She watched a makeover programme on telly.
- They hired a makeover specialist for the event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She got a makeover for her birthday party.
- They watched a home makeover on TV.
- The magazine offered her a free makeover with a stylist.
- After the makeover, the old café looked completely different.
- The company is planning a complete brand makeover to attract younger customers.
- Undergoing a personal makeover can significantly boost one's confidence.
- The government's policy makeover was seen as a cynical attempt to win votes ahead of the election.
- The software's user interface is in desperate need of a radical makeover to improve usability.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAKE it OVER again - you take something and 'make it over' into a new version.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPROVEMENT IS RENEWAL / A NEW SURFACE (The old is covered or removed to reveal a new, better version.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "переделка" в негативном смысле (как "переделывать работу").
- Не является прямым аналогом слова "макияж" (makeup).
- Акцент на комплексном, а не единичном изменении.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'makeover' as a verb (incorrect: *'I will makeover the room'; correct: 'I will give the room a makeover' or 'I will make over the room').
- Confusing 'makeover' with 'make-up'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'makeover' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun meaning a transformation, it is a single compound word: 'makeover'. The related phrasal verb is two words: 'to make over' (meaning to transfer legally or to transform).
Not commonly as a single word. The verb form is the phrasal verb 'to make over'. Example: 'They will make over the bedroom' (transform it). Using 'makeover' as a verb (e.g., 'to makeover the bedroom') is considered non-standard or informal.
A 'renovation' typically refers specifically to restoring something to a good state of repair, often for buildings. A 'makeover' is broader, focusing on appearance and style, and can apply to people, brands, or ideas, not just physical spaces.
Primarily yes, but it is often used metaphorically. A 'brand makeover' or 'policy makeover' refers to changing the perception or presentation of something intangible, though the core metaphor is still based on visual/appearance change.
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