The difference between Compose and Make up

When used as verbs, compose means to make something by merging parts, whereas make up means to constitute.


check bellow for the other definitions of Compose and Make up

  1. Compose as a verb (transitive):

    To make something by merging parts.

    Examples:

    "The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters."

  2. Compose as a verb (transitive):

    To make up the whole; to constitute.

    Examples:

    "A church is composed of its members."

  3. Compose as a verb (transitive, nonstandard):

    To comprise.

  4. Compose as a verb (transitive, or, intransitive):

    To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.

    Examples:

    "The orator composed his speech over the week prior."

    "Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven."

    "It's difficult to compose without absolute silence."

  5. Compose as a verb (sometimes, reflexive):

    To calm; to free from agitation.

    Examples:

    "Try to compose your thoughts."

    "The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt."

  6. Compose as a verb:

    To arrange the elements of a photograph or other picture.

  7. Compose as a verb:

    To settle (an argument, dispute etc.); to come to a settlement.

  8. Compose as a verb:

    To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.

  9. Compose as a verb (printing, dated):

    To arrange (types) in a composing stick for printing; to typeset.

  1. Make up as a verb (transitive):

    To constitute; to compose; to form.

  2. Make up as a verb (transitive):

    To compensate, fill in or catch up.

    Examples:

    "He can make up the time next week."

    "I plan to make up for my failed midterm."

    "Cuba took limited free market-oriented measures to alleviate severe shortages of food, consumer goods, and services to make up for the ending of Soviet subsidies."

  3. Make up as a verb (transitive):

    To invent, imagine, or concoct (a story, claim, etc.).

    Examples:

    "He was a great storyteller and could make up a story on the spot."

  4. Make up as a verb (transitive, cooking):

    To assemble, or mix.

    Examples:

    "I can make up a batch of stew in a few minutes, but it will take a few hours to cook."

  5. Make up as a verb (transitive):

    To apply cosmetics or makeup to.

    Examples:

    "Let's leave as soon as I make up my face."

  6. Make up as a verb (intransitive):

    To resolve, forgive or smooth over an argument or fight.

    Examples:

    "They fight a lot, but they always manage to make up."

  7. Make up as a verb:

    To overcome a disadvantage.

  8. Make up as a verb:

    To make social or romantic advances ; to pay court (to).

  9. Make up as a verb:

    genetic material, the genetic 'makeup' of a thing, in a living creature.

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