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 human rights activist stepped out for a Clooney Foundation for Justice initiative. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said that two people got into a fight, and a 16-year-old boy stepped out of the car. — Peter D'oench, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

The Parent Trap costars, who regularly attend events as one another’s dates, stepped out at the 2026 Emmy Awards over the weekend in coordinated black and white looks. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Earlier this month, Daddario stepped out during New York Fashion Week for Montblanc's 100 Years of Leather celebration at the Crane Club in Manhattan. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 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