What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
makeshift
Example
We used a cardboard box as a makeshift table until we could buy a real one. [makeshift: adjective]
Example
He made a makeshift shelter out of branches and leaves in the woods. [makeshift: noun]
stopgap
Example
The company hired a stopgap employee to fill in while they searched for a permanent replacement. [stopgap: noun]
Example
The duct tape was just a stopgap measure until we could get the leak fixed properly. [stopgap: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Makeshift is more commonly used in everyday language, while stopgap is more commonly used in formal or professional contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between makeshift and stopgap?
Stopgap is more formal than makeshift, and is often used in professional or academic settings to describe temporary solutions or measures.
