as in potential
often makings plural
the basic elements from which something can be developed
she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first
present participle of make
1
as in producing
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
will you help me make the dough for the cookies?
2
as in achieving
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
we finally made it!
3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
the cats made quite a disturbance when they knocked the Christmas tree over
4
as in fulfilling
to carry through (as a process) to completion
one person from each department will be asked to make a short presentation at the meeting
5
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
made him do all the work while everyone else just lounged around
6
as in estimating
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
I make that to be about six feet long
7
as in constructing
to form by putting together parts or materials
make a model airplane
8
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
the family made merry despite their financial worries
9
as in heading
to go on a specified course or in a certain direction
the baby made straight for the toy lying on the rug
10
as in enacting
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the legislature failed to make any new laws last session
11
as in earning
to receive as return for effort
I make considerably more money now than I did when I first started working here
12
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
what do you make of the latest information?
13
as in shutting
chiefly dialect
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening
make the gate when ye leave
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Copy Citation
Share