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

Matt and Luciana stepped out again in March 2024 for Vanity Fair's Oscars afterparty, and two months later for the Met Gala in May 2024. —Jessica Booth, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026

Still have a little ways to go before being fully cleared to step out there in a game. —Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026

On January 14, Lopez stepped out for lunch in Beverly Hills wearing one of her biggest pairs of jeans yet. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Jan. 2026

In 2026, the family stepped out for the premiere of The Rip, the crime thriller in which Matt stars alongside Ben Affleck and Teyana Taylor. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 15 Jan. 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