D
Dicread
HomeDictionaryMmakeshift

Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.

makeshift

/ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/

Adjective[C/U] Both

This word carries a strong sense of urgency and pragmatism. It suggests a situation where the ideal tool is missing, forcing a person to use whatever is at hand to solve a problem. There is an underlying feeling of fragility or instability, as the solution is not intended to be permanent. While "improvised" is a close synonym, "makeshift" often emphasizes the physical nature of the object being used. It evokes a visual of mismatched materials, such as duct tape or scrap wood, being repurposed to fulfill a specific function in a pinch.

Countable when referring to a specific object used as a replacement (a makeshift bed). Uncountable when referring to the general state of being improvised (the arrangement was makeshift).

💬Conversación Casual

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is at her university library and Leo is in his bedroom.
Chloe Smith

stop using my desk as a makeshift gaming rig. you're literally trashing it.

Chloe Smith
Leo Smith
Leo Smith

coping hard lol. it was already mid.

💡
Chloe is complaining about Leo using her furniture as a temporary substitute for a proper desk. Leo responds with 'coping' (internet slang for reacting poorly to a situation) and 'mid' (slang for mediocre), maintaining their sibling rivalry dynamic.

Meanings

Adjective
[something]

Serving as a temporary substitute; improvised.

"They used a cardboard box as a makeshift table during the picnic."

Noun
[something]

A temporary substitute for something else; an improvised solution.

"The old blanket served as a makeshift curtain to block out the sunlight."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 26, 2026Report an Error