retouch

/ˌriːˈtʌtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌriːˈtʌtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)rē-ˈtəch/ (ame, mw)

retouch — verb

  • retouchpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • retoucheshe / she / it
  • retouchedpast simple
  • retouching-ing form

1. to make small improvements to a photograph, digital image, or video by changing

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make small improvements to a photograph, digital image, or video by changing tiny details such as color, brightness, or unwanted marks so that the result looks cleaner or more attractive.

例句

Gabriela spent the afternoon retouching her wedding photos to clean up small marks.

retouch + photo / image for cleaning marks

The magazine hired a specialist to retouch each model's skin in the pictures.

passive sense: be retouched by a specialist

同義詞
  • touch up

    more informal, common in everyday conversation

  • edit

    broader meaning that can include major structural changes

  • enhance

    focuses on making something better rather than correcting flaws

  • airbrush

    refers to a specific retouching technique using an airbrush tool

文法句型

retouch + noun phrase (photo/image/skin/color)

用法筆記

The object is typically a digital or printed visual work — photo, image, portrait, or video frame. This sense is frequently passive in professional contexts ('the image was retouched before publication'). Do not use for text editing or non-visual revisions.

常見錯誤

❌She retouched the whole article to fix the spelling.
✅She edited the whole article to fix the spelling.
💡Retouch applies to images and video, not to written text.
❌The designer retouched the layout from scratch.
✅The designer retouched the layout by adjusting small details.
💡Retouch means minor improvements, not a complete rebuild.

2. to dye the newly grown section of hair near the roots so that it has the same co

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to dye the newly grown section of hair near the roots so that it has the same color as the existing dyed hair elsewhere on the head.

例句

Ritu goes to the salon every six weeks to retouch her blonde roots.

retouch + the roots of [hair type]

After three months, Jin retouched his hair color because the gray had grown back.

retouch + hair color / dye for coverage

同義詞
  • touch up

    general term for minor fixes; works for hair too

  • re-color

    broader — may mean dyeing the whole head, not just new growth

  • root touch-up

    a noun phrase specifically for salon roots service

  • refresh

    marketing language used by hair-product brands

文法句型

retouch + noun phrase (roots / hair / highlights / beard)

用法筆記

The object is always related to hair or body hair — typically 'roots', 'highlights', 'beard', or 'hair color'. The action is about matching an existing dyed shade, not changing to a new color. This sense is rare outside of hair-care contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She retouched her nails with a new polish color.
✅She touched up her nails with a new polish color.
💡Retouch for hair only; use 'touch up' for other beauty maintenance.
❌I retouched my entire hair to a different shade.
✅I retouched the roots of my hair to match the existing shade.
💡Retouch means matching the current color, not changing to a new one.

retouch — noun