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make

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈmeɪk// UK //mˈeɪk// make Archaic Dialect General-service Humorous Informal Slang

n. The make of a product is the name of the company that made it. This word is often used for cars, computers, and other machines.

n. The brand or manufacturer of a product, particularly a vehicle or piece of equipment.


SIMPLE

This make of phone is very reliable.

CONTEXTUAL

When buying a used laptop, the make and model are more important than its color.

COMPLEX

The artisan's unique make was instantly recognizable to collectors, who valued the distinctive tooling marks and proprietary finish that no larger manufacturer could replicate.

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Etymology 1

From Middle English maken, from Old English macian (“to make, build, work”), from Proto-West Germanic makōn (“to make, build, work”), from Proto-Indo-European meh₂ǵ- (“to knead, mix, make”). Related to match. Cognates * Scots mak (“to make”) * Saterland Frisian moakje (“to make”) * West Frisian meitsje (“to make”) * Dutch maken (“to make”) * Dutch Low Saxon maken (“to make”) * German Low German maken (“to make”) * German machen (“to make, do”) * Danish mage (“to make, arrange (in a certain way)”) * Latin mācerō, macer * Ancient Greek μάσσω (mássō)

Etymology 2

From Middle English make, imake, ȝemace, from Old English ġemaca (“a mate, an equal, companion, peer”), from Proto-West Germanic gamakō, from Proto-Germanic gamakô (“companion, comrade”), from Proto-Indo-European *maǵ- (“to knead, oil”). Reinforced by Old Norse maki (“an equal”). Cognate with Icelandic maki (“spouse”), Swedish make (“spouse, husband”), Danish mage (“companion, fellow, mate”). Doublet of match.

Etymology 3

Uncertain.

Etymology 4

Origin unclear.

Usage

Often used to ask about the brand of a vehicle or electronic device. Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'make and model'.

Pitfall

What did you make your car?What make is your car?Learners may confuse the verb 'make' (to create) with the noun 'make' (brand), leading to incorrect questions about a product's brand.

Idioms143 entries

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