be made up of sth
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to be formed from several different parts or people.
phrasal verb. to be composed of or constituted by specific elements or members; typically used in the passive voice to describe the structure of a whole.
The team is made up of five experts.
The atmosphere is made up of several different gases, including nitrogen and oxygen.
The committee is made up of representatives from various departments, ensuring that every perspective is considered during the final decision-making process.
almost always used in the passive form with 'be' and followed by the preposition 'of'.
contrast with 'consist of' (active voice) and 'comprise' (formal); 'be made up of' is the most common way to describe composition in neutral speech.
The cake is made up by flour and eggs.The cake is made up of flour and eggs.the preposition 'of' is required to indicate the components of the whole.
Last updated April 24, 2026