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Synonyms

making

American  
[mey-king] / ˈmeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that makes.

    The making of a violin requires great skill.

  2. structure; constitution; makeup.

  3. the means or cause of success or advancement.

    to be the making of someone.

  4. Usually makings. capacity or potential.

    He has the makings of a first-rate officer.

  5. makings,

    1. material of which something may be made.

      the makings for a tossed salad.

    2. Older Slang. paper and tobacco with which to make a hand-rolled cigarette.

  6. something made.

  7. the quantity made.

    a making of butter.

idioms

  1. in the making, in the process of being made; developing or evolving; growing.

    Our space scientists see history in the making.
making British  
/ ˈmeɪkɪŋ /

noun

    1. the act of a person or thing that makes or the process of being made

    2. ( in combination )

      watchmaking

  2. to cause the success of

  3. in the process of becoming or being made

    a politician in the making

  4. something made or the quantity of something made at one time

  5. make-up; composition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-making adjective

Etymology

Origin of making

First recorded before 1150; Middle English; Old English macung; make 1 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The missile makers are making upfront investments to boost output, but the moves could swell profits if the government makes good on its promised contracts over the coming years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

So that obsession is pushing up the price of electricity and making it more expensive for people to switch to a heat pump or electric vehicle.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Raheja admitted to making false statements to federal agents in 2023, including denying that the overbooking practices were intentional, according to the plea agreement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Datadog shares jumped 9.5% on Wednesday, making it a top S&P 500 performer, with analysts calling it a “must-own.”

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

All this time Mutti was at the stove busying herself making potato soup.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.