make out

verb

made out; making out; makes out

transitive verb

1
: to complete (something, such as a printed form) by supplying required information
make out a check
2
: to find or grasp the meaning of
tried to make out what had really happened
3
: to form an opinion or idea about : conclude
how do you make that out
4
a
: to represent as being
made them out to be losers
b
: to pretend to be true
made out that he had never heard of me
5
: to represent or delineate in detail
6
: to see and identify with difficulty or effort : discern
make out a ship through the fog

intransitive verb

1
: get along, fare
how are you making out with the new job
2
a
: to engage in sexual intercourse

Examples of make out in a Sentence

we're not rich, but we're making out all right I can't quite make out what she is trying to say.
Recent Examples on the Web The middle layer of the mat is made out of moisture-absorbing polypropylene/polyethylene, helping to protect your flooring from water damage. Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 They're made out of building blocks or other types of pieces that can be put together to build the robot. Julie Evans, Parents, 12 Mar. 2024 The patch, written about in a paper published in Nature Communications on Tuesday, is made out of a material that converts motion into electricity. Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 It’s made out of 55% linen and 45% cotton, which looks luxurious and feels soft. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 In Campbell County, in-person payments can be made at either Sheriff's Office location: in Newport at 1098 Monmouth St. or in Alexandria at 8330 W. Main St. Checks should be made out to Campbell County Sheriff Mike Jansen. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Most of the homes are made out of natural elements that can then disintegrate back into the forest. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2024 Last summer, according to employees interviewed by the investigators, an intern was nearly crushed when a bin made out of two-ton concrete blocks collapsed. Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 The limited-edition bucket is made out of tin with a detachable lid that resembles the giant, toothy creatures (or Shai-Hulud) of the desert planet Arrakis. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'make out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of make out was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near make out

Cite this Entry

“Make out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20out. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

make out

verb
1
: to draw up in writing
make out a shopping list
2
: understand sense 1a
how do you make that out
3
: to represent as being
made her out a hero
4
: to see and identify with difficulty
make out a form in the fog
5
: succeed sense 2
make out well in business
6
: to engage in kissing and petting

More from Merriam-Webster on make out

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