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

Brubaker got ahead in the count 0-2 against the Reds’ Spencer Steer, prompting Steer to briefly step out of the batter’s box. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

Picture waking up on a sunny morning, sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors open, and stepping out onto a balcony to catch the sea breeze. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026

Lilly Collins and her husband Charlie McDowell step out for a coffee run in Los Angeles on April 13. —Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

At age 18, Hershey stepped out on his own to open his own candy business in Philadelphia, selling candies, fruits, nuts and ice cream. —David P. Willis, USA Today, 15 Apr. 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