make do

1 of 2

phrase

: to get along or manage with the means at hand

will just have to make do with what we've got

make-do

2 of 2

adjective

ˈmāk-ˈdü 

: makeshift

make-do noun

Examples of make do in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The Roman Catholic High School football program is being forced to make do with no restrooms or running water at practice this summer. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

No other compound can unlock as much energy—and any creature that goes without O2 has to make do with less. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Chess pie hails from an era of make-do pies. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026

Greenlanders’ self-reliance and make-do adaptation in its unforgiving climate further cement the comparison. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for make do

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue