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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The brothers, who took Oasis to mega-stardom in the heady days of the 1990s, stepped out at the Principality Stadium for the first of 41 dates in a tour that also takes the U.S, Australia, Brazil and Japan. Simon Perry, People.com, 4 July 2025 The fearful pup stepped out to greet her, his tail twitching—his first show of trust in a long time. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 Rihanna and her young son Riot Rose stepped out in the city for an appointment at Dior on Avenue Montaigne, to find the boutique was unexpectedly closed. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 July 2025 In March 2023, the inciting papal misinformation moment was visual: photos of Francis stepping out in a white Balenciaga-style puffer coat, with a matching white skull cap. Katie Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for step out

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of step out was circa 1533

Cite this Entry

“Step out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20out. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

step out

verb
: to go away from a place usually for a short distance and for a short time
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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