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
1
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
1
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 notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like MacGyver.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- MacGyvers
- Third person singular
- MacGyvers
- Past tense
- MacGyvered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Class of 1980
MacGyver joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
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.
