makeshift

Makeshift is an adjective describing something that is used as a temporary or improvised substitute for a more permanent solution. As a noun, makeshift can refer to the temporary arrangement or object itself. The term derives from the early modern English phrase make shift, indicating something hastily assembled to address an immediate need until a proper replacement could be obtained.

Makeshift solutions appear in many contexts, including emergencies, disaster relief, construction, and everyday life where resources are limited. They may include shelters built from available materials, improvised tools, or temporary barriers. Although they offer speed and low cost, makeshifts often lack durability, formal safety standards, and long-term reliability. Relying on makeshift arrangements for extended periods can augment risk, reduce performance, or delay investments in proper infrastructure or equipment.

In design and technology, a makeshift can serve as a field expedient or prototype that informs more durable solutions. The concept is closely linked to improvisation and resilience, reflecting adaptability in constrained circumstances. Safety, ethics, and regulatory considerations frequently accompany makeshift use, particularly in housing, healthcare, or critical infrastructure, where temporary measures may conflict with established standards.

Overall, makeshift conveys a provisional, improvised quality that emphasizes immediacy and resourcefulness over permanence.