manmade
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈænmeɪd/
US
- /ˈmænˈmeɪd/
Description
- Not natural
- Created by humans
- Artificial
"Manmade" describes something that is created by people or caused by human activity rather than happening naturally. Think of it as the opposite of "natural." A mountain forms through natural forces, but a skyscraper is manmade. The word is often used to compare things made by people with things found in nature. For example, people talk about "manmade lakes" created by dams, "manmade materials" such as plastic, or "manmade disasters" like oil spills. In each case, the idea is that people played the main role in bringing it about.
The word "manmade" refers to something produced by people rather than something that exists naturally. It is used for objects, places, materials, and even events or problems when human action is the main cause. Nature gives us mountains, rivers, and forests, while people create buildings, roads, plastics, and machines. These are all examples of things described as manmade.
The word is often used to show a clear contrast with "natural." You might compare a natural beach with a manmade resort, or a natural fiber with a manmade one. It can also be used for situations that are caused by people, not just for physical things. For example, people speak of "manmade climate change" or "manmade disasters" to stress that human actions caused them.
The term is not limited to solid objects you can touch. It can also describe systems, ideas, or problems shaped by human decisions. For instance, money can be called manmade because it is a system people invented, and a crisis caused by poor planning may also be described as manmade.
Whether it refers to a towering skyscraper, a useful material, or a harmful event, "manmade" points to the role of people in shaping the world. It reminds us that many parts of life do not come from nature alone, but from human choices, work, and influence.
Examples
- 1
Water supply
The town gets most of its water from a manmade lake.
Grammar
manmade can also be written man-made
- 2
Clothing
The jacket is filled with a manmade fiber that dries quickly.
- 3
Natural contrast
The trail passes through natural caves and manmade tunnels.
- 4
Disaster cause
The oil spill was a manmade disaster, not an accident caused by weather.
- 5
Artificial island
The island may look natural from a distance, but it is completely manmade.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- manmade