Makeshift
/ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A temporary (usually insubstantial) substitution.
"And I am not a model clergyman—only a decent makeshift."
- 2 A rogue; a shifty person. obsolete
"Greene the coneycatcher, of this dream the author, / For his dainty devise deserveth the halter. / A rakehell, a makeshift, a scribbling fool; / A famous bayard in city and school: / Now sick as a dog, and ever brain-sick, / Where such a raving and desperate Dick?"
- 3 something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Made to work or suffice; improvised; substituted.
"They used the ledge and a few branches for a makeshift shelter."
Adjective
- 1 done or made using whatever is available wordnet
Example
More examples"Actually that I bring a huge volume of reference material with me is a makeshift way of preventing people from disputing my case."
Etymology
Etymology 1
Deverbal from make shift. First appears c. 1554, in the publications of H. Hilarie.
Etymology 2
1560s. From make + shift.