airbrush

1 of 2

noun

air·​brush ˈer-ˌbrəsh 

: an atomizer for applying by compressed air a fine spray (as of paint or liquid color)

airbrush

2 of 2

verb

airbrushed; airbrushing; airbrushes

transitive verb

: to paint, treat, or alter (as to conceal imperfections) with or as if with an airbrush

airbrush a photograph

Examples of airbrush in a Sentence

Verb

That photograph must have been airbrushed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This includes slathering herself in fragrant body washes, creams, and oils daily, switching up her manicure weekly, and using an airbrush tool in her skin-care routine. —Annie Blay, Allure, 9 May 2024

How the optical illusion—modeled here by Lulu Tenney—was achieved: On top of bleached brows and sheer pastel pigments, McGrath misted seven or eight coats of a concoction composed of various peel-off masks and water through an airbrush machine. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2024

Verb

The dance-leaning track has been airbrushed with a more vibrant aesthetic, which will get hips gyrating at the nightclub. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Much of the imagery appears blurred or airbrushed, carefully smoothed like frosting on a wedding cake. —Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing airbrush

• airbrush out

Kids Definition

airbrush

noun

air·​brush

ˈa(ə)r-ˌbrəsh,

ˈe(ə)r-

: a device that uses compressed air to apply a liquid (as paint or a protective coating) as a fine spray

airbrush verb