Phrase guide

touch up

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation, US: /ˈtʌt͡ʃ ʌp/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make slight corrections or adjustments to; to fill in or perfect.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Use a small brush to touch up the paint anywhere it is uneven.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • The creep was trying to touch up my girlfriend.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

alter so as to produce a more desirable appearance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This photograph has been retouched!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: retouch

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: enhance

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: retoucheren — make finishing touches
  • French: retoucher — make finishing touches
  • Ido: retushar — make finishing touches
  • Portuguese: retocar — make finishing touches
  • Portuguese: dar um up — make finishing touches
  • Romanian: retușa — make finishing touches
  • Spanish: retocar — make finishing touches
  • Chinese Mandarin: 吃豆腐 (chīdòufu) — fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way
  • Finnish: lääppiä — fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way
  • French: attoucher — fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way
  • French: peloter — fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way
  • Spanish: meter mano — fondle or to grope someone, usually in an inappropriate way