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

Dannielynn Birkhead is stepping out in style once again for Kentucky Derby weekend, continuing a long-standing family tradition with her father, Larry Birkhead. —ABC News, 2 May 2026

For a few hours, people put down their phones, stepped out of themselves, and leaned into something larger. —Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026

Video published by the outlet showed Johnson stepping out of his vehicle to hand something to a police officer. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Streep stepped out in Prada and Aldo heels, Hathaway had a bright Jimmy Choo moment, while Blunt showed off a pair of Valentino Rockstud sandals. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 1 May 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