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Meaning & use

de-age

verb·Advancedinformal

Last updated

UK/diːˈeɪdʒ/
US/diˈeɪdʒ/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitiveinformal

    To make a person look younger than their real age, especially using computer effects or makeup in a film.

    Grammar: Takes an object: the studio de-aged the actor.

    Patterns

    • de-age someone
    • de-age someone with something

    The filmmakers used digital effects to de-age the lead actor by thirty years.

    The star was de-aged for the flashback scenes.

    Makeup artists could not de-age her convincingly without computer help.

  2. verbtransitiveinformal

    To make a person or thing seem or feel newer, fresher or less aged.

    Grammar: Also takes an object: the cream claims to de-age skin.

    Patterns

    • de-age your skin
    • de-age a brand

    The brand hopes the new logo will de-age its image.

    Many creams claim to de-age skin in two weeks.

    The new haircut seemed to de-age him instantly.

Word forms

third person singularde-ages
past tensede-aged
past participlede-aged
-ing formde-aging

Common combinations

de-age an actor
They plan to de-age an actor for the prequel.
digitally de-age
The villain was digitally de-aged in several scenes.
de-age your skin
This serum is said to de-age your skin.
de-aging technology
De-aging technology has improved quickly.
de-aged version
A de-aged version of the hero appears at the start.

Synonyms and how they differ

rejuvenate
Rejuvenate is more general and formal, and it can mean restoring energy, whereas de-age usually concerns appearance.
make younger
Make younger is plain and can describe any change, while de-age sounds like a technical process.
youthify
Youthify is a playful, rare coinage and less accepted than de-age.

Opposites

age

Word family

age verb
to grow older or look older
de-aging noun
the process of making someone look younger
ageless adjective
never seeming to grow old
anti-aging adjective
intended to reduce visible signs of getting older

Commonly confused: de-age or deage?

de-age vs deage

The word is written with a hyphen as de-age. It should not be confused with unrelated words beginning with de-, such as decay.

Practice

The studio used computer effects to ___ the actor so that he could play himself at twenty-five.

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