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

Arms full of Nidhi’s blood, Padmini stepped out into the garden. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

With knees slightly bent, step out to one side with your first leg and stretch the band. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026

The driver, Duncan, is wearing black and white and steps out, then DeGroot appears to fall down, an affidavit alleges. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Roberts’ Polished-Yet-Casual Style Roberts stepped out wearing a crisp white button-down blouse with dark-wash wide-leg jeans. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 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