makings
Britishplural noun
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potentials, qualities, or materials
he had the makings of a leader
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Also called: rollings. slang the tobacco and cigarette paper used for rolling a cigarette
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profits; earnings
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.
Serve it with warm corn tortillas, diced onion, cilantro and a flavorful salsa, and you have the makings of an outdoor taco night that largely takes care of itself.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026
"We realised we had a drummer and a few different players. Once we started meeting regularly, we realised we had the makings of a band."
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to confirm any agreement but said that "we perhaps have the makings of a deal here."
From Barron's ● May 28, 2026
Based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel “The Hunter,” “Point Blank” has all the makings of a highly involving thriller, but Mr. Boorman consistently frustrates these expectations with more artistic aims.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
So many amends to be made, the makings of how different justice could look.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
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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.