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

Higgins isn’t the first celebrity to step out in a pair of clear heels like this. —Tara Larson, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026

More intricate and intentional with his choices, Adebayo color-matches to the occasion, stepping out in a monochrome look wearing Japanese label Seveskig in a distressed, striped long-sleeve polo, B1 Archival khakis, and Air Jordan SEs. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

In the footage, Victoria steps out diagonally opposite of Brooklyn, her back slightly turned toward him. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

Shows a mastery of craft or taps into the sublime, feels a part of the zeitgeist, steps out of its genre, takes big risks that pay off. —Pitchfork, 20 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