noun

MacGyver

muh-GEYE-vuh

MacGyver (noun) means a person who can cleverly improvise a solution using whatever ordinary objects happen to be at hand. Example: “Our camp guide was a real MacGyver, fixing the broken tent pole with a shoelace and a stick.”

noun

A person who can cleverly improvise a solution using whatever ordinary objects happen to be at hand.

"Our camp guide was a real MacGyver, fixing the broken tent pole with a shoelace and a stick."

verb

To improvise a fix or invention out of everyday items not normally meant for that purpose.

"She MacGyvered a phone charger out of spare wires when the original broke."

How to use MacGyver

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo rig up a clever, improvised fix, or someone who's good at doing that.

When to use it

Informal; common in everyday conversation, not used in formal writing.

Common pairings

MacGyver a solution MacGyver something together

Word forms

MacGyvered past tense, MacGyvers plural, MacGyvers singular

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Our camp guide was a real _____, fixing the broken tent pole with a shoelace and a stick.

Etymology

From MacGyver, the title character of a 1980s American TV show known for building ingenious gadgets from ordinary objects.

· First attested 1980

Class of 1980 MacGyver joined the language around 1980.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “MacGyver” mean?

The word “MacGyver” means a person who can cleverly improvise a solution using whatever ordinary objects happen to be at hand. In plain terms, to rig up a clever, improvised fix, or someone who's good at doing that.

How do you pronounce “MacGyver”?

“MacGyver” is pronounced muh-GEYE-vuh (/məˈɡaɪvɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “MacGyver” in a sentence?

Here is “MacGyver” used in a sentence: “Our camp guide was a real MacGyver, fixing the broken tent pole with a shoelace and a stick.”

What part of speech is “MacGyver”?

Depending on how it is used, “MacGyver” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “MacGyver” come from?

The word “MacGyver” dates back to around 1980. From MacGyver, the title character of a 1980s American TV show known for building ingenious gadgets from ordinary objects.

How many meanings does “MacGyver” have?

“MacGyver” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who can cleverly improvise a solution using whatever ordinary objects happen to be at hand.