MacGyver
proper noun
- surname related to McKeever, McIver from Gaelic (MacÌomhair)
- eponymous character of the television programme MacGyver, who has an uncanny ability to build contraptions from junk
verb
- to solve something with an ingenious creative solution, oftentimes simple
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /məˈɡaɪvə/ / /məˈɡaɪvɚ/ / /mɪk-/
noun
Etymology: From the name of the eponymous character in the television program MacGyver, a secret agent with an uncanny ability to construct weapons from seemingly useless bits of junk.
- Someone capable of improvising an ingenious solution from everyday objects or unsuitable resources.
verb
Etymology: From the name of the eponymous character in the television program MacGyver, a secret agent with an uncanny ability to construct weapons from seemingly useless bits of junk.
- To assemble or repair something by ingenious improvisation, using everyday items that would not usually be used for the purpose.
“Our car broke down and we didn't have any tools but Jim MacGyvered it with some toenail clippers and we were able to limp to the service station.”
“It is why some of the American troops experimented with commercial drones that they could weaponize by fixing with explosives, to see how to counter such tactics, much as Russian troops have had to learn how to defend against Ukraine’s use of store-bought drones that have been MacGyvered with explosives.”