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Meaning & use

made of

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈmeɪd əv/
US/ˈmeɪd əv/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Having a particular material as the substance that forms an object, with the material still recognizable.

    Grammar: Follows a linking verb and precedes the material: The table is made of oak.

    Patterns

    • something is made of something
    • something made of something

    This bridge is made of steel and stone.

    My grandmother gave me a bracelet made of silver.

    Most of the toys in the box are made of wood.

  2. phrasefixed phrasefigurative

    Describing the qualities of a person's character or the parts that make up something abstract.

    Grammar: Often used figuratively with a quality or the word stuff: made of tough stuff.

    Patterns

    • be made of something

    She is made of stronger stuff than people expect.

    A good team is made of people who trust each other.

    The whole show is made of small, funny moments.

Common combinations

made of wood
The cabin is made of wood from nearby forests.
made of glass
The greenhouse is made of glass and thin metal bars.
made of stern stuff
The explorers were made of stern stuff and kept going.
what is it made of
What is this fabric made of?
made entirely of
The sculpture is made entirely of recycled plastic.

Synonyms and how they differ

constructed from
Constructed from sounds more technical and implies pieces joined together, while made of is simple and general.
composed of
Composed of is more formal and fits mixtures or groups, whereas made of fits physical materials.
consisting of
Consisting of lists the parts of something, while made of names the substance.

Word family

make verb
to create or produce
made adjective
produced or formed
maker noun
a person or company that makes things
made from phrase
used when the original material has been changed

Commonly confused: made of or made from?

made of vs made from

Made from is used when the material has been changed so it can no longer be seen, as in paper made from wood. Made of is for materials that remain visible, as in a table made of wood.

Practice

Choose the best option: This chair is ____ metal and plastic.

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