made
Americanverb
adjective
idioms
verb
adjective
-
artificially produced
-
(in combination) produced or shaped as specified
handmade
-
informal to be assured of success
-
very rich
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.
- Used in a sentence: The bridge was well made and lasted for centuries.
- Used in a sentence: With her hundreds of servants to wait on her, Lori’s got it made!
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So, having made it into Q3, he was only ever going to be starting the race at the back, no matter what lap time he set.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
“It was an argument made from authority, so I followed it,” says the 42-year-old freelance marketer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
County courts for years before reaching a point where meaningful evidence is made public.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Dimon also made headlines in the U.K. as he warned the incoming Andy Burnham government against raising bank taxes.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
It also made her feel both special and powerful.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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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.