make-do
noun
something that serves as a substitute, especially of an inferior or expedient nature.
make-do
American
[meyk-doo]
/ ˈmeɪkˌdu /
noun
-
make-dos
plural
adjective
make do
Idioms
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of make-do
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
See Examples For:
Instead, Ukrainians are showing the resilience and make-do attitude that have frustrated Moscow’s efforts to pummel them into submission.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026
It’s tempting to argue that “One Battle’s” all-but-inevitable Oscar victory is a make-do for the half-dozen times Anderson should have won before.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026
The fans will have to make-do with a short written statement.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
Because of higher costs and limited supplies in the massive, remote state, they embrace an interdependent and make-do ethos to the benefit of their Buddhist community, she said.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2022
“Your make-do is better than the Ritz,” I said, helping myself to some more chicken and dumplings.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
Characters forced to make do either lash out, like raging overreactors on Lee Sung Jin’s petty, brutal “Beef,” or fall into holding patterns, like the unlucky in love leads of Issa Rae’s dramedy “Insecure.”
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
To keep going, he tries "not to think too much about the problems" and to make do "with the little one has."
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
Edwards said the club had been unable to pay for winter training facilities on time and coaches had to make do with "worn-out resources".
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
But staff members have had to make do with indoor swamp coolers and fans, said Darlene Lopez, the manager at the animal hospital, in an interview with The Times.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Then my friends will just have to make do without us.”
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Between those two poles lies the observation that popular collar stay make-dos include paper clips, strips of business cards, and—hat tip to Heloise—wood coffee stirrers.
From Slate ● Mar. 12, 2014
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.
