First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1make
verb \ˈmāk\
made \ˈmād\ mak·ing
Definition of MAKE
transitive verb
2
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>
3
4
: to frame or formulate in the mind <make plans>
5
: to put together from components : constitute <houses made of stone>
6
a : to compute or estimate to be b : to form and hold in the mind <make no doubt of it>
7
8
: to prepare (hay) by cutting, drying, and storing
9
a : to cause to be or become <made them happy> <makes it possible> b : appoint <made him bishop>
10
11
a chiefly dialect : shut <the doors are made against you — Shakespeare> b : to cause (an electric circuit) to be completed
12
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>
13
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>
14
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
15
: to cause to act in a certain way : compel <make her give it back>
16
: to cause or assure the success or prosperity of <can either make you or break you>
17
a : to amount to in significance <makes a great difference> b : to form the essential being of <clothes make the man> c : to form by an assembling of individuals <make a quorum> d : to count as <that makes the third time you've said it>
18
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 6b
19
20
: to gain (as money) by working, trading, or dealing <make a living>
21
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>
22
a : to fulfill (a contract) in a card game b : to win a trick with (a card)
23
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 6b <made the bus just in time>
24
: to persuade to consent to sexual intercourse : seduce
25
: to provide the most enjoyable or satisfying experience of <meeting the star of the show really made our day>
intransitive verb
1
archaic : to compose poetry
2
4
: to increase in height or size <the tide is making now>
5
: to reach or extend in a certain direction
6
: to have considerable effect <courtesy makes for safer driving>
7
: to undergo manufacture or processing <the silk makes up beautifully>
— make a face or make faces
: to distort one's features : grimace
— make a mountain out of a molehill
: to treat a trifling matter as of great importance
— make book
: to accept bets at calculated odds on all the entrants in a race or contest
— make common cause
: to unite to achieve a shared goal
— make do
: to get along or manage with the means at hand
— make ends meet
: to make one's means adequate to one's needs
— make eyes
: ogle
— make friends with
: to establish a friendship or friendly relations with
— make good
— make hay
: to make use of a situation or circumstance especially in order to gain an advantage
— make head
1
: to make progress especially against resistance
2
: to rise in armed revolt
— make it
— make light of
: to treat as of little account
— make much of
1
: to treat as of importance
2
: to treat with obvious affection or special consideration
— make nice
: to be deliberately and often insincerely polite and agreeable <must make nice to politicians they cannot stand — Ken Auletta>
— make no bones
: to be straightforward, unhesitating, or sure <makes no bones about the seriousness of the matter>
— make one's mark
: to achieve success or fame
— make public
: disclose
— make sail
1
: to raise or spread sail
2
: to set out on a voyage
— make shift
: to manage with difficulty
— make the grade
: to measure up to some standard : be successful
— make the most of
: to show or use to the best advantage
— make the scene
: to be present at or participate in a usually specified activity or event
— make time
1
: to travel fast
2
: to gain time
3
: to make progress toward winning favor <trying to make time with the waitress>
— make use of
: to put to use : employ
— make waves
: to create a stir or disturbance
— make way
1
: to give room for passing, entering, or occupying
2
: to make progress
See make defined for English-language learners
See make defined for kids
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Examples of MAKE
- 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.
Origin of MAKE
Middle English, from Old English macian; akin to Old High German mahhōn to prepare, make, Greek magēnai to be kneaded, Old Church Slavic mazati to anoint, smear
Related to MAKE
- Antonyms
- demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down
2make
noun
Definition of MAKE
1
a : the manner or style in which a thing is constructed b : brand 4a
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
— on the make
1
: in the process of forming, growing, or improving
2
: in quest of a higher social or financial status
3
: in search of sexual adventure
See make defined for English-language learners
Examples of MAKE
- “What make of car is that?” “I think it's a Ford.”
First Known Use of MAKE
14th century
MAKE Defined for Kids
1make
verb \ˈmāk\
made \ˈmād\mak·ing
Definition of MAKE for Kids
1
: to form or put together out of material or parts <Do you know how to make a dress?>
2
: to cause to exist or occur <Don't make trouble.> <It makes a funny noise.>
3
: to prepare food or drink <She made breakfast for us.>
4
: to cause to be or become <Your visit made them happy.>
5
: compel 1 <Grandma will make them go to bed.>
6
: to arrange the blankets and sheets on (a bed) so that the mattress is covered
7
: to combine to produce <Two and two make four.>
9
: 1reach 2 <We made it home.>
11
: to act so as to be <Make sure you have your toothbrush.>
— mak·er \ˈmā-kər\ noun
— make believe
: to act as if something known to be imaginary is real or true
— make fun of
: to cause to be the target of laughter in an unkind way
— make out
1
: to write out <I'll make out a list.>
2
: understand 1 <I can't make out what this says.>
3
: identify 1 <I can't make out who it is.>
4
: 1fare <How did you make out on your tests?>
— make up
1
: to create from the imagination <He made up a story.>
3
: to do something to correct or repay a wrong <Volunteer work made up for their mischief.>
4
: to become friendly again <They quarreled but later made up.>
5
: to put on makeup
6
: decide 1 <I've finally made up my mind.>
Synonym Discussion of MAKE
make, form, and manufacture mean to cause to come into being. make is a word that can be used of many kinds of creation. <She knows how to make a chair.> <They made many friends.> form is used when the thing brought into being has a design or structure. <The colonies formed a new nation.> manufacture is used for the act of making something in a fixed way and usually by machinery. <The company manufactures cars.>
2make
noun
Definition of MAKE for Kids
: 1brand 2 <What make of car did you buy?>
Seen & Heard
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