make
1 of 2verb
ˈmāk 
made ˈmād ; making; makes
; making; makes transitive verb
1
a
: to bring into being by forming, shaping, or altering material : fashion
make a dress
b
: to lay out and construct
make a road
c
: compose, write
make verses
2
: to put together from components : constitute
houses made of stone
3
a
: to cause to happen to or be experienced by someone
made trouble for us
b
: to cause to exist, occur, or appear : create
make a disturbance
c
: to favor the growth or occurrence of
haste makes waste
d
: to fit, intend, or destine by or as if by creating
was made to be an actor
4
a
: enact, establish
make laws
b
: to execute (see execute sense 2) in an appropriate manner
make a will
c
: set, name
make a price
5
a
: to cause to be or become
made them happy
makes it possible
b
: appoint
made him bishop
6
: to cause to act in a certain way : compel
make her give it back
7
a
: to carry out (an action indicated or implied by the object)
make war
make a speech
make a detour
b
: to perform with a bodily movement
make a sweeping gesture
8
: to frame or formulate in the mind
make plans
9
a
: to set in order
make beds
b
: prepare, fix
make dinner
c
: to assemble and set alight the materials for (a fire)
d
: to shuffle (a deck of cards) in preparation for dealing
10
a
: to amount to in significance
makes a great difference
b
: to count as
that makes the third time you've said it
c
: to form the essential being of
clothes make the man
d
: to form by an assembling of individuals
make a quorum
11
a
: to be or be capable of being changed or fashioned into
rags make the best paper
b
: to develop into
she will make a fine judge
c
: form sense 6b
12
a
: reach, attain
made port before the storm
—often used with it you'll never make it that far
b
: to gain a place on or in
make the team
the story made the papers
c
: to gain the rank of
make major
d
: to succeed in providing or obtaining
make bail
13
: to gain (something, such as money) by working, trading, or dealing
make a living
14
a
: to act so as to earn or acquire
makes friends easily
makes poor grades
b
: to score in a game or sport
make a field goal
make a birdie
c
: to convert (a split) into a spare in bowling
d
: to succeed in holing
make a putt
15
a
: to conclude as to the nature or meaning of something
what do you make of this development?
b
: to regard as being
not the fool some make him
16
a
: to produce as a result of action, effort, or behavior with respect to something
make a mess of the job
tried to make a thorough job of it
b
archaic : to turn into another language by translation
17
a
: to include in a route or itinerary
make New York on the return trip
—often used with it make it to the party
b
: catch sense 6b
made the bus just in time
18
: to cause or assure the success or prosperity of
can either make you or break you
19
: to provide the most enjoyable or satisfying experience of
meeting the star of the show really made our day
20
a
: to compute or estimate to be
I make it 23 miles to the border from here.
b
: to form and hold in the mind
make no doubt of it
21
a
: to begin or seem to begin (an action)
made to go
b
obsolete : behave, act
22
a
: to fulfill (a contract) in a card game
b
: to win a trick (see trick entry 1 sense 4) with (a card)
23
: to prepare (hay) by cutting, drying, and storing
24
a
: to cause (an electric circuit) to be completed
b
chiefly dialectal : shut
the doors are made against you—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare25
: to persuade to consent to sexual intercourse : seduce
intransitive verb
1
: to have considerable effect
courtesy makes for safer driving
2
: set out, head
made after the fox
made straight for home
3
a
: to begin or seem to begin a certain action
made as though to hand it to me
b
: to act so as to be or to seem to be
make merry
c
: behave, act
Don't make as if you didn't hear me.
d
slang : to play a part —usually used with like
make like a chicken
4
: to increase in height or size
the tide is making now
5
: to reach or extend in a certain direction
The forest makes up nearly to the snow line.
6
: to undergo manufacture or processing
the silk makes up beautifully
7
archaic : to compose poetry
make
2 of 2noun
1
a
: brand sense 4a
b
: the manner or style in which a thing is constructed
2
: the physical, mental, or moral constitution of a person
men of his make are rare
3
a
: the action of producing or manufacturing
b
: the actual yield or amount produced over a specified period : output
4
: the act of shuffling cards
also : turn to shuffle
Phrases
make a face or make faces : to distort one's features : grimace
He made a face when I mentioned her name.
: to treat a trifling matter as of great importance
1
: to carry off : steal
made away with all the money
2
: kill
: pretend, feign
made believe that everything was all right
: venture, dare
making bold to think of himself as a guardian of culture—W. H. Pritchard
W. H. Pritchard : to accept bets at calculated odds on all the entrants in a race or contest
a bartender who made book on the side
: to unite to achieve a shared goal
attempted to make common cause with the radicals in areas they could agree on
: to get along or manage with the means at hand
will just have to make do with what we've got
: to make one's means adequate to one's needs
did all they could do to make ends meet
: ogle
Some guy was making eyes at her from across the room.
: to establish a friendship or friendly relations with
made friends with his new neighbors
: to make an object of amusement or laughter : ridicule, mock
the movie made fun of macho pretensions—Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael1
or make good on : to make valid or complete: such as
a
: to carry out successfully
made good their escape
made good on his promise
b
: indemnify
make good the loss
c
: to make up for (a deficiency)
made good previous neglect of his child
d
: prove
made good a charge
2
: to prove to be capable
also : succeed
The play made good at the box office.
: to make use of a situation or circumstance especially in order to gain an advantage
The candidate made hay of his opponent's scandalous behavior.
1
: to make progress especially against resistance
they made head against the wind—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens2
: to rise in armed revolt
riflemen who … were called on to make head against a series of resolute efforts to drive them from Kentucky—Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt1
: survive, live
half the cubs won't make it through their first year
2
a
: to be successful
trying to make it in the big time as a fashion photographer—Joe Kane
Joe Kane b
: to be satisfactory or pleasing
if it isn't danceable, it doesn't make it for me—Judy Hyman
Judy Hyman3
: to have sexual intercourse
: to treat as of little account
all these problems are humorously described but never made light of—Susan Kenney
Susan Kenney1
a
: to engage in sexual intercourse
b
: neck, pet
2
: woo, court
1
: to treat as of importance
The drill sergeant made much of his toughness.
2
: to treat with obvious affection or special consideration
she had evidently enjoyed being made much of in Youngstown—New Yorker
New Yorker : to be deliberately and often insincerely polite and agreeable
must make nice to politicians they cannot stand—Ken Auletta
Ken Auletta : to be straightforward, unhesitating, or sure
makes no bones about the seriousness of the matter
: to achieve success or fame
made his mark as a literary critic—Eric Partridge
Eric Partridge : disclose
None of those disagreements were made public.
1
: to set out on a voyage
The ship made sail at midnight.
2
: to raise or spread sail
: to manage with difficulty
We didn't have much money, but we made shift.
: ridicule, mock
it visibly grieved him when the rest of us made sport of our schoolmates—Tobias Wolff
Tobias Wolff : to measure up to some standard : be successful
clever and energetic enough to make the grade in a good law firm—John Train
John Train : to show or use to the best advantage
made the most of her talents
: to be present at or participate in a usually specified activity or event
small time poets just making the scene at readings or in little mags—B. Frazer
B. Frazer1
: to travel fast
made fast time
2
: to gain time
have to make time to get to the bank before it closes
3
: to make progress toward winning favor
trying to make time with the waitress
1
: to go in a hurry : run away, flee
she quickly made tracks for New York—Glamour
Glamour2
: to proceed at a walk or run
: to put to use : employ
Students made good use of the new gymnasium.
1
of a boat : leak
2
: urinate
: to create a stir or disturbance
continues to make waves with his unique, highly opinionated approach—Suzanne Biallot
Suzanne Biallot1
: to give room for passing, entering, or occupying
many of the old villas were being torn down to make way for high rises—William Murray
William Murray2
: to make progress
slang : produce, perform —usually used with the
Straighten up and walk … make with the feet—Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler1
: in quest of a higher social or financial status
2
: in search of sexual adventure
3
: in the process of forming, growing, or improving
Synonyms
Verb
- fabricate
- fashion
- form
- frame
- manufacture
- produce
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He works in a factory that makes jet engines. She made the curtains herself. He collected wood to make a fire. She used cheese and a mixture of other ingredients to make a delicious sauce. Someone was making a disturbance. The car's engine has been making a strange noise lately. The rock made a dent in the car's fender. I'm not trying to make trouble. The typist made a mistake. I called the doctor's office to make an appointment. Noun “What make of car is that?” “I think it's a Ford.” See More
Recent Examples on the WebLeah Willingham, ajc, 15 Feb. 2023 In the '60s and '70s, students and others began using the rock to paint obscenities and graffiti, and gradually became a canvass to make announcements and for free expression, to share messages like Tuesday's and Wednesday's. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 15 Feb. 2023 How to make the most of your pretty new dishwasher Scrape food off but do. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 15 Feb. 2023 Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker make their red carpet debut as a couple After many social media posts, Kardashian and Barker made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2021 MTV VMAs. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2023 The singer appears in the back the of a taxi with a less-than-pleased-looking Chopra Jonas, awkwardly trying to make a move on her. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023 Near the Epicenter: Amid scenes of utter devastation in the ancient Turkish city of Antakya, thousands are trying to make sense of an earthquake that left them with no home and no future. —Gulsin Harman, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023 Those who really want to make a statement will want to add one of the four decal packages, each inspired by a classic Porsche racing livery. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2023 The film tells the story of Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), an aspiring jazz club owner, and Mia (Emma Stone), a struggling actress, who are trying to make it in Los Angeles. —Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 Bruce Schoenfeld, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 While there are many things that go into getting a great night's sleep — from soft comfortable bedding to room conditions — the make or break factor tends to be the mattress itself. —Annie Burdick, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 Identifying and securing investment dollars is the make or break stage for most startups, and working with the right investor is critical to success. —Jd Morris, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 The summer movie season is loaded up with make-or-break releases from the major studios that exhibitors are counting on for revenue, theater owners say. —Phred Dvorak, WSJ, 5 June 2022 Collectors often zero in on a particular make or style. —John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2022 Alabama began 1-of-14 after halftime, with Miller connecting on his final make of the day. —Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 14 Jan. 2023 With five seconds remaining, Terance Mann made a jumper in the lane, his first make of the game, to cap a 16-2 run and force overtime. —Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2022 Editors at Elle swear by Aerie leggings, because of their durable make and inclusive size range. —Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 13 Dec. 2022 See More
Verb
The bill requires colleges and universities to provide either a secure location for storage of a pistol or revolver in at least one on-campus residence hall — or to make safes available in residence rooms, which could come with a fee. —Leah Willingham, ajc, 15 Feb. 2023 In the '60s and '70s, students and others began using the rock to paint obscenities and graffiti, and gradually became a canvass to make announcements and for free expression, to share messages like Tuesday's and Wednesday's. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 15 Feb. 2023 How to make the most of your pretty new dishwasher Scrape food off but do. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 15 Feb. 2023 Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker make their red carpet debut as a couple After many social media posts, Kardashian and Barker made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2021 MTV VMAs. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2023 The singer appears in the back the of a taxi with a less-than-pleased-looking Chopra Jonas, awkwardly trying to make a move on her. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023 Near the Epicenter: Amid scenes of utter devastation in the ancient Turkish city of Antakya, thousands are trying to make sense of an earthquake that left them with no home and no future. —Gulsin Harman, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023 Those who really want to make a statement will want to add one of the four decal packages, each inspired by a classic Porsche racing livery. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2023 The film tells the story of Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), an aspiring jazz club owner, and Mia (Emma Stone), a struggling actress, who are trying to make it in Los Angeles. —Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 Noun
VanGelder cautioned that she wasn’t allowed to reveal any details, such as the make of car or what sport the athlete played. —Bruce Schoenfeld, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 While there are many things that go into getting a great night's sleep — from soft comfortable bedding to room conditions — the make or break factor tends to be the mattress itself. —Annie Burdick, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 Identifying and securing investment dollars is the make or break stage for most startups, and working with the right investor is critical to success. —Jd Morris, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 The summer movie season is loaded up with make-or-break releases from the major studios that exhibitors are counting on for revenue, theater owners say. —Phred Dvorak, WSJ, 5 June 2022 Collectors often zero in on a particular make or style. —John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2022 Alabama began 1-of-14 after halftime, with Miller connecting on his final make of the day. —Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 14 Jan. 2023 With five seconds remaining, Terance Mann made a jumper in the lane, his first make of the game, to cap a 16-2 run and force overtime. —Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2022 Editors at Elle swear by Aerie leggings, because of their durable make and inclusive size range. —Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 13 Dec. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English macian; akin to Old High German mahhōn to prepare, make, Greek magēnai to be kneaded, Old Church Slavonic mazati to anoint, smear
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 21b
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Phrases Containing make
Kids Definition
make
1 of 2 verb ˈmāk
made ˈmād ; making
; making 1
a
: to begin or seem to begin an action
she made as if to go
b
: to act so as to appear
make merry
2
a
: to cause to exist or occur : create
make a noise
make trouble
b
: to create for some purpose or goal
she was made to be a surgeon
3
a
: to form or shape out of material or parts : fashion, construct
make a dress
make a chair
b
: to combine to produce
2 and 2 make 4
4
: to frame in the mind
make plans
5
: to put together from parts
houses made of stone
6
: to estimate to be : compute
I make it an even $5
7
a
: to set in order
make a bed
b
: prepare, fix
make dinner
8
: to cut and spread for drying
make hay
9
a
: to cause to be or become
made herself useful
b
: appoint
made him her assistant
10
a
: enact sense 1, establish
make laws
b
: to prepare in an appropriate manner
make a will
11
a
: understand sense 1a
unable to make anything of the story
b
: to regard as being : consider
he is not the fool you make him
12
: do entry 1 sense 1a, perform
make war
make a bow
13
: to produce or acquire by or as if by action or effort
made a mess of the job
make good money
make friends
14
: to force to act in some manner
made her return home
15
: to cause or assure the success of
the first case made the new lawyer
16
: to develop into
she will make a fine judge
17
a
: reach entry 1 sense 2c, attain
the ship makes port tonight
he made corporal in 10 months
they made it to the other side of the bridge
b
: to gain a place on or in
made the track team
the story made the papers
18
: catch entry 1 sense 7b
make the train
19
: to set out in pursuit
made after the fox
20
: to provide the most satisfying experience of
meeting the star of the show really made our day
make
2 of 2 noun1
: the way in which a thing is made : structure
2
: a particular kind of manufactured goods : brand
looked at several makes of car before deciding
make way
verb
as in to aid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aid
- help
- open
- facilitate
- further
- assist
- clear
- unstop
- free
- release
- unplug
- unclog
- liberate
- smooth
- promote
- encourage
- loosen
- untie
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interfere (with)
- hold back
- tie up
- hold up
- hinder
- impede
- inhibit
- check
- hamper
- embarrass
- stymie
- clog
- obstruct
- handicap
- cramp
- encumber
- shackle
- fetter
- curb
- restrain
- handcuff
- trammel
- constrain
- rein
- balk
- tie
- manacle
- bind
- hog-tie
- short-circuit
- hobble
- chain
- tether
- leash
- halter