makeshift

CEFRB2

/ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Made quickly from whatever materials are available.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    A rogue; a shifty person.

Examples

  • Sami set up a makeshift clinic in Cairo.

  • We used a barrel for a makeshift table.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Made to work or suffice; improvised; substituted.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. A temporary (usually insubstantial) substitution.

More examples

In context

  • They used the ledge and a few branches for a makeshift shelter.

  • And I am not a model clergyman—only a decent makeshift.

  • Hoboism cannot be cured or prevented by makeshifts or by local measures and efforts, although community interest naturally is vital in dealing with a problem that comes home to every community.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

After the fire, families built blank tents from plastic sheets and sticks found nearby.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

Deverbal from make shift. First appears c. 1554, in the publications of H. Hilarie.