makeshift
/ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/noun, adjective
makeshift is spelled M-A-K-E-S-H-I-F-T: 9 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 1.5 times per million words in written English, the 22,965th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, makeshift means “A temporary (usually insubstantial) substitution” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of makeshift is makeshifts.
How many letters and syllables are in makeshift?
| Letters | 9: M-A-K-E-S-H-I-F-T |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 1.5 times per million words; the 22,965th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is makeshift?
Makeshift appears 1.5 times per million words in written English, the 22,965th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce makeshift?
- /ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/
Makeshift has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-makeshift.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with makeshift
Also written: make-shift (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of makeshift
- makeshifts plural
- make-shift
- make shift
- more makeshift comparative
- most makeshift superlative
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does makeshift mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A temporary (usually insubstantial) substitution.
- 2
obsoleteA rogue; a shifty person.
adjective
- 1
Made to work or suffice; improvised; substituted.
They used the ledge and a few branches for a makeshift shelter.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Makeshift in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | Provisorium, Notlösung, Notbehelf , behelfsmäßig, provisorisch |
| Portuguese | improviso , improvisado |
| Spanish | apaño |
| French | de fortune, improvisé |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does makeshift come from?
Deverbal from make shift. First appears c. 1554, in the publications of H. Hilarie.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).