Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between “made of” and “made from”? These two phrases may seem similar, but they are used in different contexts. In this post, you’ll learn the meaning of “made of” vs “made from,” see plenty of examples, and try some short exercises to help you master the difference.
Let’s get started!
Made of vs Made from Meaning
Both “made of” and “made from” describe how something is created or produced, but they are not always interchangeable. Here’s the difference:
1. → Made of
We use “made of” when the material used is still recognizable in the final product.
Made of emphasizes the physical composition of an object — what it consists of.
Examples:
- The table is made of wood. (You can still see and recognize the wood.)
- The ring is made of gold.
- Her dress is made of silk.
2. → Made from
We use “made from” when the original material has been transformed or processed and is no longer easily recognizable.
Made from focuses on the process or transformation.
Examples:
- Cheese is made from milk. (Milk changes during the process.)
- Paper is made from trees.
- Wine is made from grapes.
Made of vs Made from Examples in Sentences
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The sculpture is made of marble. | The marble is still visible. |
| Butter is made from cream. | The cream is changed into butter. |
| This jacket is made of leather. | The leather remains the same material. |
| Plastic is made from oil. | Oil is transformed into plastic. |
Other Related Confused Phrases
Here are other commonly confused expressions related to “made of” and “made from”:
1. Made With vs Made From (Food Context)
When talking about food, we often use “made with” to describe the ingredients.
- This cake is made with flour, sugar, and eggs.
- Pasta is made from wheat flour and water.
- The soup is made with fresh vegetables.
→ Use “made from” when referring to the base material that has been changed.
→ Use “made with” when talking about ingredients that are used and may still be visible.
2. Made of vs Made Out of
“Made of” and “made out of” are often interchangeable, but there’s a slight difference in emphasis:
- Made of is more formal and common.
- Made out of is more informal and used when the original material is unusual or creative.
Examples:
- The chair is made of metal. ✅ (Standard usage)
- This sculpture is made out of bottle caps! ✅ (Creative or surprising material)
3. Made Out of Meaning
“Made out of” means the object was created using a specific material, often one that is unusual or reused.
Examples:
- The toy was made out of recycled plastic.
- She made a dress out of paper.
💡 Note: “Make out” can also be slang meaning to kiss romantically (e.g., “They made out in the car”). This is different from “made out of,” which refers to materials. Check the different meanings on Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Quick Summary Table: Made of vs Made from
| Expression | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | The material is still visible | The statue is made of stone. |
| Made from | The material is transformed | Wine is made from grapes. |
| Made with | Food ingredients | Cookies are made with chocolate chips. |
| Made out of | Informal or creative reuse | The bag is made out of jeans. |
Made of vs Made from Exercises
Fill in the blanks with made of, made from, made with, or made out of:
- This bottle is __________ glass.
- Cheese is __________ milk.
- This sculpture is __________ sand.
- These cookies are __________ oats and honey.
- The basket was __________ newspaper.
- The house is __________ bricks.
2. made from
3. made of
4. made with
5. made out of
6. made of
What is the difference between made from and made of?
“Made of” is used when the material is still visible or recognizable in the final product.
“Made from” is used when the material has been changed or transformed during the process.
Example:
– A table is made of wood. (You can still see the wood.)
– Wine is made from grapes. (The grapes have been transformed.)
Is it made of wood or made from wood?
Both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings:
– Made of wood: The wood is still visible — e.g., “The chair is made of wood.”
– Made from wood: Used if the wood has been processed into something else — e.g., “This paper is made from wood.”
– Use “made of” in most cases when describing wooden objects.
Is it made of plastic or made from?
Typically, we say something is “made of plastic” if the plastic is still recognizable.
Example:
– “This bottle is made of plastic.”
Use “made from plastic” if you are emphasizing the transformation from another form, less common in everyday use.
What are the example sentences with made of and made from?
Here are a few examples:
Made of:
– The door is made of metal.
– Her necklace is made of silver.
Made from:
– Butter is made from cream.
– Glass is made from sand.
These examples help highlight whether the material is still visible (made of) or has been changed (made from).
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between made of vs made from is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. Whether you’re describing materials, food, or creative projects, choosing the right phrase makes a big difference.
👉 Want more tips? Check out our related grammar and vocabulary lessons and quizzes to practice!
