First recorded in 1890–95
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The fans will have to make-do with a short written statement.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
“Full Time” is canny enough to understand that many people’s make-do existences are ready-made for compassionate thriller-ization.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2023
In sharp liner notes for this album, the composer Carman Moore describes Singleton’s creativity as possessing “that special African-American attitude both of make-do and of derring-do.”
From New York Times ● Aug. 24, 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
The combination of high prices and slower wage growth means Americans have to make do with less, at least until inflation begins to recede again.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026
At first the curator at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago had to make do with photos of the animal.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
The students who come from the neighborhoods she serves have to make do with schools that don’t instill curiosity but simply demand that they memorize things and sit still.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
Certain conversations are had away from Nguyen’s watchful camera, and we’re often only left with the aftermath as BTS tries to make do with the demands on their time and creativity.
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2026
“I’ll make do with these old boots. Then I can get Perilee that rocker.”
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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.
