verb

make out

mayk OWT

Make out (verb) means to kiss and embrace someone for a sustained period, in a romantic or passionate way. Example: “They were making out in the back row of the cinema.”

verb

informal To kiss and embrace someone for a sustained period, in a romantic or passionate way.

"They were making out in the back row of the cinema."

"She caught them making out by the bike sheds."

To manage to see, hear or read something that is faint or unclear.

"I could just make out a figure through the fog."

"The signature is too smudged to make out."

To claim or suggest that something is the case, usually unfairly or falsely.

"He makes out that he did all the work himself."

"It isn't nearly as complicated as they make out."

To write out a cheque, form or document, especially by filling in a name.

"Please make the cheque out to the school office."

How to use make out

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo kiss someone for a while — or, in other uses, to just about see something, or to claim something that isn't true.

When to use it

Informal in the kissing sense; the "discern" and "claim" senses are neutral and fine in ordinary writing.

Memory tip

It is separable when it takes an object you can move: "make out the words" or "make the words out".

Easily confused with

make up make off work out

Common pairings

make out a shape make out the words make out a cheque make out that

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “make out” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I could just _____ a figure through the fog.

Synonyms

View more →

kiss neck snog discern distinguish perceive pick out claim pretend allege imply write out

Related words

see feel real understand hear statement claim notice

Rhymes for make out

out tout bout gout lout pout rout about trout spout clout grout

See all rhymes for make out →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between make out and make up?

They are unrelated phrasal verbs. "Make out" can mean to kiss, to discern something faintly, or to claim something falsely. "Make up" means to invent a story, to become friends again after an argument, or to constitute a whole.

Is "make out" American or British?

The kissing sense is American in origin and is now widely understood everywhere, though British speakers often say "snog". The senses meaning "discern" and "claim falsely" are common to both varieties.

How do you use "make out" to mean cope?

With "how", it asks about progress: "How did you make out at the interview?" This use is chiefly American and means roughly "how did you get on".

What is the meaning of make out?

"make out" (verb) means to kiss and embrace someone for a sustained period, in a romantic or passionate way.

People also searched

see feel real understand hear statement claim notice