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makeshift

/ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/

Meanings
noun
A temporary (usually insubstantial) substitution.

Examples :

"The broken chair leg was supported by a precarious makeshift of stacked books and duct tape. "
utility item thing

Related Words

Illustration supported

supported verb

/səˈpɔːtɪd/ /səˈpɔɹtɪd/

To keep from falling.

"Don’t move that beam! It supports the whole platform."

Illustration stacked

stacked verb

/stækt/ /stʌkt/

To arrange in a stack, or to add to an existing stack.

"Please stack those chairs in the corner."

Illustration precarious

precarious adjective

/pɹəˈkɛəɹi.əs/ /pɹəˈkɛɹi.əs/

Dangerously insecure or unstable; perilous.

"The stack of books on the top shelf looked precarious, and I was afraid they would fall. "

Illustration branches

branches noun

/ˈbɹæntʃɪz/ /ˈbɹɑːntʃɪz/

The woody part of a tree arising from the trunk and usually dividing.

"The children climbed the tree and sat on its sturdy branches. "

Illustration suffice

suffice verb

/səˈfaɪs/

To be enough or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be adequate; to be good enough.

"For this plum cake, two eggs should suffice."

Illustration temporary

temporary noun

/ˈtɛmpəɹi/ /ˈtɛmpəˌɹɛɹi/

One serving for a limited time; short-term employee.

"The temporary at the bakery was only there for the summer. "

Illustration improvised

improvised verb

/ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/ /ˈɪmprəˌvaɪzd/

To make something up or invent it as one goes on; to proceed guided only by imagination, instinct, and guesswork rather than by a careful plan.

"He had no speech prepared, so he improvised."

Illustration usually

usually adverb

/ˈjuːʒju(ə)li/ /ˈjuːʒ(ʊə)li/

Most of the time; less than always, but more than occasionally.

"Except for one or two days a year, he usually walks to work."

Illustration unreliable

unreliable adjective

/ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl/ /ˌʌnlɪˈlaɪəbl/

Not reliable.

"My old car is unreliable; it often breaks down on the way to work. "

Illustration substituted

substituted verb

/ˈsʌbstɪtjuːtɪd/ /ˈsʌbstɪtutɪd/

To use in place of something else, with the same function.

"I had no shallots so I substituted onion."

Illustration substitution

substitution noun

/ˌsʌbstɪˈtuːʃən/ /ˌsʌbstəˈtuːʃən/

The act of substituting or the state of being substituted.

"The substitution of the teacher for the week was announced on the school website. "

Illustration insubstantial

insubstantial adjective

/ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl/ /ˌɪnsəpˈstænʃəl/

Lacking substance; not real or strong.

"The bridge was insubstantial and would not safely carry a car."