1、编、编造。其宾语通常为故事、诗歌、借口一类的名词。

The teacher asked the students to make up a poem about Christmas.

Not having a good excuse, Sally made one up.

2、弥补、把…补上。弥补的内容为某人之前失去的东西或没有按时完成的事情。

John must make up the work he missed.

Because you were ill, you’ll have to make up the final exam.

We have to drive fast to make up the hour we lost in Boston.

3、构成。其主语是若干个个体，其宾语为由这些个体构成的整体。当句子是被动结构时，其后应加of。

Nine players make up a team.

Different qualities make up a person’s character.

The audience was made up of very young children.

4、化装、打扮。化装或打扮的部位是脸部，可同时作不及物动词和及物动词。

The actors were making (themselves) up when we arrived.

These days many girls make up when they are still quite young.

5、凑足、补足。意为凑足或补足所需的数目。

The toy cost a dollar and Ted only had fifty cents, so Father made up the difference.

We need one more player --- will you make the number?