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

The true pleasure before or after a treatment, however, comes in stepping out onto the spa’s serene beach and lounging in a chair or hammock under a palm or putting on a mask and fins for a snorkel in the Lagoonarium. —Terry Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025

Powell, 37, and Randolph, 28, were recently photographed stepping out of a car together in Miami and spending time in the city. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025

Klum has stepped out in a parade of NSFW swimwear looks over the past few days, including going topless in espresso brown string bikini bottoms. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025

Ora stepped out in a pair of eye-grabbing boots, opting for Coperni‘s Bridge Boot in the dark brown shade. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025

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