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

Stepping away from the ’90s vintage denim trend, several fashion week attendees stepped out in dark indigo denim with visible slubs and veiny surfaces. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026

Nearly two years after a biking accident landed him in the hospital, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's son, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, is stepping out for a rare solo appearance. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Now as sailors stepped out into the surf, a great crowd tried to take oars off the first sloop. —Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

The Princess of Wales stepped out for a full day of royal duties on January 27—and threw in a surprisingly simple side braid between stops. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 28 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