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

• 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

Not the living that precedes the act of art-making, not the living that occurs during the art-making itself. —Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025

While the war was at full tilt, Har-Melech’s minority settler faction had been able to exercise outsize influence over Netanyahu’s decision making, deepening Israel’s entanglement in Gaza. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025

Mental health experts suggest that hands-on hobbies like knitting, puzzle-making, and baking foster mindfulness and reduce anxiety by activating our senses, grounding us in the moment, and shifting focus from perfection to process. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025

For Cho Gi-Seok, a South Korean fashion photographer known for his work with K-pop stars — including XG and Blackpink’s Jennie — the idea of imperfection is an ongoing theme behind his surrealist image-making. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

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