Makutilat

Makutilat is a term encountered in contemporary Filipino-language usage that does not have a single formal definition in standard dictionaries. It is often described as a nonce or slang word derived from makulit, meaning persistent, insistent, or nagging, with the suffix -at which can nominalize or modify terms. In practice, makutilat has been used to label behavior or attitudes that are persistently playful, cheeky, or stubborn. The exact sense depends on context and speaker; in casual speech it may be used affectionately among friends, while in other contexts it can carry a mild pejorative nuance.

Possible uses of makutilat include describing a person who repeatedly asks questions or pursues a topic tenaciously, a meme-like character, or a fictional work’s title or theme in a lighthearted way. However, there is no standardized meaning or widely cited source establishing a formal sense for the term.

Etymology is likely tied to the Filipino adjective makulit, “persistent” or “nagging,” with the suffix -at forming a derivative or descriptive expression. The emergence of makutilat appears to be recent and primarily rooted in online discourse and informal conversation rather than in authoritative linguistic documentation.

See also: makulit; Filipino slang; neologisms.