airbrush

noun, verb — 4 senses

airbrush

noun

Etymology From air + brush.

1

A miniature, handheld paint sprayer, powered by compressed air or other gas, used for delicate, artistic painting, or sometimes retouching of photographs.

Derived terms
airbrusher, airtist

airbrush

verb

Etymology From air + brush.

1

To paint using an airbrush.

2

To touch up or enhance a photograph or person, often with intent to mislead.

  • This photo has definitely been airbrushed; no one has skin this smooth.
3

Broadly, Figuratively To edit or alter something in order to make it appear better.

  • They'd spent one evening together sixteen months ago, and Falk was acutely aware that he'd probably airbrushed and edited at least some of it without meaning to.2022, Jane Harper, Exiles, page 287:
Synonyms
photoshop, doctor

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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