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

If a conversation starts feeling like a control contest, step out of the performance. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

Rule 3 - No stepping out Tired of watching a baseball game where the batter steps out of the batter’s box? — Idaho Statesman, 27 July 2026

To do that, Moore will have to step out from behind the curtain and in front of the camera. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is upon us, and all the stars are stepping out at Entertainment Weekly’s photo studio. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 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