make out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to discern or perceive

   can you make out that house in the distance?

2. (tr) to understand or comprehend

   I can't make out this letter

3. (tr) to write out

   he made out a cheque

4. (tr) to attempt to establish or prove

   he made me out to be a liar

5. (intr) to pretend

   he made out that he could cook

6. (intr) to manage or fare

   how did you make out in the contest?

7. informal to engage in necking or petting

   Alan is making out with Jane

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make out Idioms  

1. Discern or see, especially with difficulty, as in I can hardly make out the number on the door . [Mid-1700s]

2. Manage, get along, as in How did you make out with the accountant? This usage was first recorded in 1820.

3. Engage in sexual foreplay or intercourse, as in Bill and Jane were making out on the sofa , or Joe bragged that he made out last night . [ Slang ; early 1900s]

4. Understand, as in I can't make out what she is trying to say . [Mid-1600s] Also see can't make head or tail of .

5. Establish or prove, as in He made out that he was innocent . [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]

6. Imply or suggest. This usage often occurs with an infinitive, as in Are you making me out to be a liar? [ Colloquial ; mid-1600s]

7. Write out, draw up; fill in a written form. For example, He made out the invoices , or Jane started making out job applications . This usage was first recorded in 1465.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

make out

The thrill comes from the squint — the desperate, reflexive need to make out something in the haze.

From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026

When he’s up, we soar from girder to girder in a tight POV that allows us to barely make out the tips of his boots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

"For those who may not be technologically aware to make out the difference, it could be a huge challenge."

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Now biology sleuths can make out objects the size of magazines, and soon they’ll be able to see objects the size of a cellphone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

I could just barely make out the words over the din.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

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