man-made

The term man-made refers to elements, objects, or materials that are produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally. It is a compound adjective derived from the historical usage of "man" to represent the entire human species, combined with the past participle of "make." It is traditionally used to contrast built environments, synthetic materials, or caused phenomena with the natural world.

Usage of the term is contested in modern linguistics and professional writing styles. Those who continue to use it often do so because it is a familiar, established idiom where the gendered component is not intended literally, but rather as a synonym for "humanity." However, proponents of gender-neutral language argue that using "man" as a default for the species excludes women and reinforces male-centric bias. Consequently, many academic, government, and corporate style guides now recommend replacing it with more precise or inclusive terms.

Example:
"The reservoir is a man-made lake created to supply water to the city."

Example:
"Critics argue that the crisis was entirely man-made and avoidable."