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

By the end of President Obama’s second term in 2016, Obama had transformed first lady fashion and had stepped out of her own comfort zone in the process. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2025

Scott's mother said her daughter had stepped out to pick something up from a nearby store when she was shot. —Christina Fan, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Seeing Witherspoon, Oprah, and Perry all recently step out in their own takes on the cozy yet polished look reminded me exactly why this effortless travel uniform stole my heart in the first place. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025

Dwayne Johnson took a refreshing twist on formalwear, stepping out in an all-blue suit that added personality without overpowering the moment. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 17 Nov. 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