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

Papic accepts that China has a heavy energy import dependency, but points out this is far less of an Achilles’ heel than most make out.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

"She sent a message and at first I couldn't make out what she was saying, I was very confused," Jane said.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

On the Marine Traffic map, which tracks world shipping movements, you can make out clusters of ships, mainly tankers, anchored far to the north near Kuwait, as well as off the coast near Dubai.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Or when you phone a company and the AI “assistant” that responds really can’t make out what you’re asking to route the call correctly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

“I was afraid of that,” he said, “but don’t let it bother you. We’ll make out all right. I’ll help you with the cooking.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls