step out

verb

stepped out; stepping out; steps out

intransitive verb

1

: to go away from a place usually for a short distance and for a short time

2

: to go or march at a vigorous or increased pace

3

: die

4

: to lead an active social life

5

: to be unfaithful

—usually used with on

had been stepping out on his wife

Synonyms of step out

• cheat
• screw around
• play (around)

Examples of step out in a Sentence

if she catches him stepping out on her, she'll divorce him without a moment's hesitation

my greedy relatives are only being nice to me because they expect me to step out any time now

Recent Examples on the Web

Lea Moya stepped out of the dugout to close the game with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

On an unseasonably warm day in Chicago, Blake Mohseni stepped out for a walk and fielded a call about a school his 3-year-old daughter is still too young to attend. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026

The couple are highly private and rarely step out in public together. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026

That gap allows for pedestrians to react and step out of the way of oncoming bicycles. —New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for step out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

step out

verb

: to go away from a place usually for a short distance and for a short time