2. essential qualities or ingredients needed for something: "a film with all the makings of a cinematic success"Similarqualitiescharacteristicsingredientspotentialpromisecapacitycapabilityessentialsessencebeginningsrudimentsbasicsmaterialsstuff
▪ paper and tobacco for rolling a cigarette: informalNorth American, Australian, New Zealand"he reached for his tobacco tin and makings"