made
Americanverb
adjective
idioms
verb
adjective
-
artificially produced
-
(in combination) produced or shaped as specified
handmade
-
informal to be assured of success
-
very rich
Usage
What is a basic definition of made? Made is the past tense and past participle of the verb make, meaning to create from materials. As an adjective, made describes something as being built or fashioned in a certain way or something that is guaranteed to have success or good fortune in the future. Made has a few other senses as an adjective. Made is a past tense verb that means to have been produced, fashioned, or built out of materials or components.
- Real-life examples: Many products are made in China. Toys, electronics, furniture, and many other things are made in factories. Spider webs are made by spiders.
- Used in a sentence: Maria’s kids made a big mess in the living room.
- Used in a sentence: The bridge was well made and lasted for centuries.
- Used in a sentence: With her hundreds of servants to wait on her, Lori’s got it made!
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of made
First recorded in 1350–1400, for the adjective
Explanation
Something that's made is created, crafted, or invented, A locally made blanket is crocheted or woven in your state or region. You'll most often find the adjective made in combination with another word, like hand, U.S., or sustainably. A hand-made quilt, for example, is sewn without a machine. A made bed, on the other hand, is one that's got its sheets tucked in and blankets pulled neatly up, and a "made man" is a guy whose future success is all settled.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With the help of the University of Maine’s giant 3D printer, Navatek made a prototype and unveiled it at a press conference where a Guinness World Records representative declared it the world’s largest 3D-printed boat.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
Over time, a dissociative response can generalize to situations or triggers that are far removed from the event that made it necessary in the first place.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
"Trump has made a decision that no matter what, we need to not have a confrontational relationship with China," Stephen Orlins, president at the National Committee on US-China Relations, said.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
TV personality Maria Menounos has listed her longtime Encino mansion for $6.995 million, two decades after she and husband Keven Undergaro made the sprawling California estate their home.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
“She was instrumental in saving the lives of many Americans and Filipinos. By her outstanding courage and bravery, Mrs. Guerrero made a distinct contribution to the cause of freedom,” Representative Morrison states.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.