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makeshift — temporary and usually of poor quality, made from whatever is available

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: temporary and usually of poor quality, made from whatever is available

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmeɪkʃɪft/

Example Sentences

  • When the restaurant ran out of plates, they served pizza on makeshift paper plate frisbees.
  • The students built a makeshift fort out of desks and chairs during the fire drill.
  • After the earthquake, many families lived in makeshift shelters for weeks.

makeshift

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈmeɪkʃɪft/]

temporary and usually of poor quality, made from whatever is available

They built a makeshift shelter from branches and a torn tarp before the storm hit.
💡 Concept

They built a makeshift shelter from branches and a torn tarp before the storm hit.

Graveshift workers make do with makeshift!
🎵 Rhyme

Graveshift workers make do with makeshift!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmeɪkʃɪft/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈmeɪkʃɪft/

🌳Etymology

Rootmake
Suffix-shift

Origin

From the phrase 'make shift' meaning to manage or get by. The term originated in Middle English, combining 'make' (to create or manage) with 'shift' (an expedient or substitute), first used as a noun in the 16th century and later as an adjective.

Breakdown

make (create, manage) + shift (expedient, substitute, temporary solution) = makeshift (temporary substitute made from available materials)

🎵Rhyme

spaceshift
graveshift

🔗Collocations

makeshift shelter
makeshift solution
makeshift bed
makeshift bridge
makeshift hospital
makeshift kitchen

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“When the restaurant ran out of plates, they served pizza on makeshift paper plate frisbees.”

😄 Fun example

“The students built a makeshift fort out of desks and chairs during the fire drill.”

“After the earthquake, many families lived in makeshift shelters for weeks.”

😄 Fun example

“His makeshift alarm clock was actually three roosters taking turns outside his window.”

😄 Fun example

“The makeshift stage collapsed when the lead singer started dancing too enthusiastically.”

📚Related Words

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