English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

makeshift

MAYK-shihft
adj
1
Put together quickly as a temporary, improvised solution.
"They built a makeshift shelter out of branches and tarpaulin."
"The old door served as a makeshift table."

How to Use Makeshift

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishQuickly improvised and not meant to last — a temporary fix rather than the real thing.

Common pairings
makeshift shelter makeshift solution makeshift repair

Word Forms

more makeshift comparative, makeshifts plural, makeshifts plural, most makeshift superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They built a _____ shelter out of branches and tarpaulin.

Etymology

A combination of make and shift, first recorded in the 1550s.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial