Meaning & use
manufacture
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To make goods in large quantities, usually in a factory using machines.
Grammar: Takes an object: manufacture cars. Often used in the passive: be manufactured in.
Patterns
- manufacture something
- manufacture something from something
- be manufactured in a place
The company manufactures parts for aircraft engines.
These shoes are manufactured in Vietnam.
They manufacture furniture from recycled wood.
verbtransitivedisapproving
To invent a story, excuse, or piece of evidence in order to deceive someone.
Grammar: Takes an object: manufacture an excuse. Used mostly in formal or written contexts.
Patterns
- manufacture an excuse
- manufacture evidence
- manufacture a story
He manufactured an excuse to leave the meeting early.
The lawyers claimed the evidence had been manufactured.
She manufactured a story about being sick.
noununcountable
The process of making goods in large quantities, usually in factories.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used in the phrase 'the manufacture of'.
Patterns
- the manufacture of something
- in the manufacture of something
The manufacture of steel requires huge amounts of energy.
This chemical is used in the manufacture of plastics.
The cost of manufacture has fallen.
nouncountableformal
A product that has been made in a factory, especially in the phrase 'of ... manufacture'.
Grammar: Usually singular in the phrase 'of ... manufacture'.
Patterns
- of foreign manufacture
- of British manufacture
The label said 'of foreign manufacture'.
These goods are of local manufacture.
The watch is of Swiss manufacture.
Word forms
| third person singular | manufactures |
|---|---|
| past tense | manufactured |
| past participle | manufactured |
| -ing form | manufacturing |
Common combinations
- manufacture goods
- The factory manufactures goods for export.
- manufacture cars
- They manufacture cars in three countries.
- manufacture an excuse
- He manufactured an excuse for being late.
- the manufacture of something
- The manufacture of paper uses a lot of water.
- be manufactured in
- These chips are manufactured in Taiwan.
Synonyms and how they differ
- produce
- A general word for making or growing things; 'manufacture' is more specific to factory production.
- make
- The everyday word; 'manufacture' sounds more technical and suggests large-scale factory production.
- fabricate
- Can mean to make something, but more often means to invent a lie or false evidence, like 'manufacture' in its deceptive sense.
Word family
- manufacturer noun
- A company or person that makes goods in large quantities.
- manufacturing noun
- The industry or process of making goods in factories.
- manufactured adjective
- Made in a factory; not natural.
Commonly confused: manufacture or manufactory? manufacture or manufacturer?
manufacture vs manufactory
'Manufactory' is an old-fashioned noun meaning a factory; 'manufacture' is the verb or the process.
manufacture vs manufacturer
'Manufacturer' is the person or company; 'manufacture' is what they do.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'manufacture' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Manufacture' as a verb takes an object and means to make goods in large quantities, so 'manufactures smartphones' is correct. The other options use it as an intransitive verb, a person, or a home-made action, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “manufacture”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.