made

American  

[meyd] / meɪd /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of make.

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adjective

1. produced by making, preparing, etc., in a particular way (often used in combination).

   well-made garments.

2. artificially produced.

   made fur.

3. invented or made-up.

   to tell made stories about oneself.

4. prepared, especially from several ingredients.

   a made dish.

5. assured of success or fortune.

   a made man.

idioms

1. have it made,

   1. to be assured or confident of success.

      With a straight A average he's got it made.

   2. to have achieved success, especially wealth, status, or the like.

made British  

/ meɪd /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of make 1

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adjective

1. artificially produced

2. (in combination) produced or shaped as specified

   handmade

3. informal to be assured of success

4. very rich

made More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing made

• have it made
• make

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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.

As an adjective, made describes something as having been produced or manufactured in a specific way.

• Used in a sentence: The bridge was well made and lasted for centuries.

Made can also describe something as being ensured future success or having a very bright future. Usually, this sense refers to a person being very rich or having a luxurious lifestyle. This sense is used in the phrase to have it made.

• Used in a sentence: With her hundreds of servants to wait on her, Lori’s got it made!

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undermade
  adjective
• half-made
  adjective

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

As of 6:30 p.m., crisis negotiators remained in contact with the suspect over the phone and no arrests had been made, police said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

"I have made mistakes," she said during a presidential debate on Sunday.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

The RBA raised the cash rate again in May to complete the reversal of the three 25-basis-point cuts it made in 2025, when inflation eased from its postpandemic highs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

“The impact each of them made on their family, friends, and community will never be forgotten,” the GoFundMe said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

As soon as I replied to Trey that I’d made it home, he video-called me.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith