make

verb (makes, making, made)

1》 form by putting parts together or combining substances.

    ↘(make something into) alter something so that it forms (something else).

    ↘arrange bedclothes tidily on (a bed) ready for use.

    ↘Electronics complete or close (a circuit).

2》 bring about or perform; cause.

    ↘cause to be, become, or seem: decorative features make brickwork more interesting.

    ↘appoint to a position.

    ↘agree or decide on (a specified arrangement).

    ↘archaic enter into a contract of (marriage).

3》 compel (someone) to do something.

4》 constitute, amount to, or serve as.

    ↘estimate as.

5》 gain or earn (money or profit).

    ↘Cricket score (a specified number of runs).

6》 manage to arrive at (a place) or catch (a train or other transport).

    ↘(make it) become successful.

    ↘achieve a place in.

    ↘chiefly N. Amer. achieve the rank of.

7》 prepare to go somewhere or to do something: he made towards the car.

8》 N. Amer. informal induce (someone) to have sex with one.

9》 (in bridge, whist, etc.) win (a trick).

    ↘win the number of tricks that fulfils (a contract).

    ↘shuffle (a pack of cards).

10》 (of the tide) begin to flow or ebb.

noun

1》 the manufacturer or trade name of a product.

    ↘the structure or composition of something.

2》 the making of electrical contact.

Phrases

be made of money [usu. with negative] informal be very rich.

be made up N. English & Irish informal be delighted.

have (got) it made informal be in a position where success is certain.

make a day of it devote a whole day to an activity.

make someone's day make an otherwise ordinary day pleasingly memorable for someone.

make a House Brit. secure the presence of enough members for a quorum or support in the House of Commons.

make do manage with the limited means available.

make like N. Amer. informal pretend to be.

make or break be the factor which decides whether (something) will succeed or fail.

make sail Sailing spread a sail or sails.

↘start a voyage.

make time

1》 find an occasion when time is available to do something.

2》 N. Amer. informal make sexual advances to someone.

make up one's mind make a decision.

make way

1》 allow room for someone or something else.

2》 Nautical make progress; travel.

on the make informal intent on gain.

↘looking for a sexual partner.

put the make on N. Amer. informal make sexual advances to.

Phrasal verbs

make after dated pursue.

make away with another way of saying make off with.

↘kill (someone).

make for

1》 move towards.

2》 tend to result in or be received as.

3》 (be made for) be eminently suited for (a particular function or person).

make something of give or ascribe a specified amount of attention or importance to.

↘understand the meaning of.

make off leave hurriedly.

make off with carry away illicitly.

make out informal

1》 make progress; fare.

2》 N. Amer. engage in sexual activity.

make someone/thing out

1》 manage with some difficulty to see, hear, or understand someone or something.

2》 represent someone or something as being of a specified nature.

3》 write out or complete a list or document.

make something over transfer the possession of something.

make someone over give someone a new image with cosmetics, hairstyling, etc.

make up be reconciled after a quarrel.

make someone up apply cosmetics to someone.

make something up

1》 (also make up for) compensate for something lost, missed, or deficient.

    ↘(make it up to) compensate (someone) for negligent or unfair treatment.

2》 (make up) (of parts) compose or constitute (a whole).

3》 put together or prepare something from parts or ingredients.

    ↘Printing arrange text and illustrations into pages.

4》 invent a story.

make with US informal proceed to use or supply.

Derivatives

makeable (also makable) adjective

Origin

OE macian, of W. Gmc origin; related to match¹.