make
mayk
Make (verb) means to create, produce, or build something. Example: “She made a cake for the party.”
verb
1
To create, produce, or build something.
"She made a cake for the party."
"The factory makes car parts."
"My dad makes wooden toys in his garage on Saturday mornings."
2
To cause someone or something to do or become a particular thing.
"Onions always make my eyes water when I chop them."
"The movie made her cry."
"His comment made me angry."
3
To earn or gain money.
"He makes a good living as a freelance designer."
"She makes extra money by selling her paintings at the weekend market."
"Small shops can make a decent profit if they choose their stock wisely."
4
To arrive at or reach a place, especially in time.
"We just made the last train."
"If we hurry, we can make the ferry before it leaves."
"Sorry, I can't make the meeting because my bus broke down on the way."
noun
1
The brand or manufacturer of a product.
"What make of car does she drive?"
"I can't remember the make of that old washing machine."
"The shop sells every make of bicycle, from cheap ones to racing models."
How to use make
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the most common English verbs — to create, cause, earn, or reach something; as a noun, the brand of a product.
Common pairings
make dinner
make money
make a decision
make it on time
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Word forms
- Plural
- makes
- Third person singular
- makes
- Past tense
- made, maked
- Archaic forms
- makest, madest, maketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory _____ car parts.
Etymology
From Old English macian ("to make, build, work"), from a very old Germanic root meaning "to knead" or "to shape."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for make
See all rhymes for make →Frequently asked questions
What does “make” mean?
The word “make” means to create, produce, or build something. In plain terms, one of the most common English verbs — to create, cause, earn, or reach something; as a noun, the brand of a product.
How do you pronounce “make”?
“Make” is pronounced mayk (/meɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “make” in a sentence?
Here is “make” used in a sentence: “The factory makes car parts.”
What part of speech is “make”?
Depending on how it is used, “make” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “make” come from?
The word “make” comes from Old English. From Old English macian ("to make, build, work"), from a very old Germanic root meaning "to knead" or "to shape.".
Is “make” a common word?
“Make” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “make” have?
“Make” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to create, produce, or build something.
What is the difference between make and do?
Make usually means to create or produce something that did not exist before, like 'make a cake' or 'make a plan.' Do refers to performing an action, task, or activity, like 'do your homework' or 'do the dishes.' Make results in a product; do describes the activity itself.
What is the difference between make and create?
Both mean to bring something into existence, but make is the everyday word for producing physical or practical things, from meals to furniture. Create often suggests something new, original, or artistic, such as a painting or a design. Make is broader and far more common in daily speech.
Can make be used for things you cannot touch?
Yes. Beyond physical objects, make forms countless everyday expressions for producing intangible results: make a promise, make progress, make money, make a noise, make sense. In all of these, make keeps its core meaning of causing something to come into being or happen.
What is an example of make in a sentence?
'They make furniture from reclaimed wood.' Here make means to build or produce the furniture. It also works with non-physical things, as in 'make a decision,' 'make a mistake,' or 'make friends,' where make means to bring that thing about.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing make in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
When the time comes to make my own version, I decide to buy Yukimura's branded nonstick skillet pan, which is one of Ocampo's go-tos.
From
The Guardian · Jul 26, 2026
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