making

noun

mak·​ing ˈmā-kiŋ 

1

: the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being

spots problems in the making

2

: a process or means of advancement or success

3

: something made

especially : a quantity produced at one time : batch

4

a

: potentiality

—often used in plural

had the makings of a great artist

b

makings ˈmā-kənz 

ˈmā-kiŋz

plural : the material from which something is to be made

especially \ usually  ˈmā-​kənz \ : paper and tobacco for rolling cigarettes by hand

Synonyms of making

• potential
• material
• potentiality

Examples of making in a Sentence

methods used in the making of wine

she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first

Recent Examples on the Web

The group represents the formal culmination of a dispute three years in the making. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026

By all appearances, the title had all the makings of a hit doc, the kind of movie that garners serious buzz by word-of-mouth. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026

Linnetz’s work, both as a photographer and as a designer and stylist, often harkens back to image-making before the new millennium. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026

As the show barrels toward the present, the audience comes to understand how many people, particularly men who have every privilege and opportunity, are trapped in prisons of their own making. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English macung, from macian to make

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing making

• decision-making
• epoch-making
• history in the making
• hit-making
• in the making
• making a comeback
• making all the right noises
• making (a lot of) noise
• making noise
• making noises
• making soothing/reassuring noises
• non-profit-making
• not making much sense
• of one's own making
• policy-making
• slave-making ant
• the making of

Rhymes for making

• aching
• baking
• braking
• breaking
• caking
• faking
• flaking
• quaking
• raking
• shaking
• slaking
• snaking

Kids Definition

making

noun

mak·​ing

ˈmā-kiŋ

1

: the act of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being

spots problems in the making

2

: a process or means of advancement or success

3

: material from which something can be developed : potentiality

there is the making of a racehorse in this colt

—often used in plural

has the makings of a great quarterback

4

plural : the materials from which something can be made