verb
/ˈmeɪk/ makes; made /ˈmeɪd/; making
[+ obj] to build, create, or produce (something) by work or effort
to use (something) to create a product - + into
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to exist, happen, or appear
[+ obj] :to create or write (something) in an official or legal way
[+ obj] :to produce, direct, or act in (something, such as a movie)
[+ obj] :to cause (something or someone) to be changed in a specified way
[+ obj] :to cause (something or someone) to have a specified quality, feeling, etc.
To make yourself useful means to do something useful.
To make yourself heard/understood (etc.) means to do what is necessary to be sure that people hear you, understand you, etc.
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to be or become something
[+ obj] to cause (someone) to do something
to force (someone) to do something
[+ obj] :to give a particular job, title, status, etc., to (someone)
[+ obj] :to perform (a particular action)
[+ obj] :to form (a plan) in your mind
[+ obj] :to arrange the blankets and sheets on (a bed) so that the mattress is covered
[+ obj] :to prepare (food or drink)
[linking verb] - used to indicate a total
[+ obj] :to be equal to (an amount)
[+ obj] :to calculate (an amount, total, etc.)
[+ obj] :to be used to produce (something)
[linking verb] :to be suited for use as (something)
[linking verb] :to be or become (something)
[+ obj] :to arrive at (a place)
[+ obj] :to earn or gain (money, a profit, etc.)
[+ obj] to be accepted as a member of (a group, team, etc.)
to appear on or in (a newspaper, a headline, etc.)
c chiefly US :to be promoted to (a level or rank)
[+ obj] sports
to succeed in doing (something that you attempt)
to produce (a particular score)
[+ obj] to not be too late for (something)
to reach or go to (a place)
to succeed in reaching or going to (something)
[+ obj] :to act in a way that causes someone to be your friend, enemy, etc.
[+ obj] :to cause the success of (someone or something)
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to be enjoyable, attractive, etc.
[no obj] old-fashioned + literary :to seem to begin an action
make a face
make away with
[phrasal verb]
make away with (something) literary :to steal and take away (something)
make believe
make do
to proceed or do what you can with the things that you have even though you do not have what you want
make eyes at
make for
[phrasal verb]
make for (something)
to go toward (a place) quickly
to cause (something) to happen or to be more likely
make friends
make it
to reach a particular place, goal, etc.
to not fail, die, etc. :survive
to become successful
chiefly US informal :to have sex
make like
US informal
to pretend to be (someone or something)
to act in a way that does not show your true feelings
make love
make merry
make much of
to treat (something) as very important
make nice
make of
[phrasal verb]
make (something) of (something or someone) :to have or form an opinion about (something or someone)
make (a day, night, etc.) of it :to continue with an enjoyable activity during all of (a day, night, etc.)
make something of (yourself or your life) :to become successful
make something of it informal :to treat something as a reason for arguing or being angry - used in speech as an angry way of telling someone that you are prepared to fight or argue about something
make off
[phrasal verb]
chiefly Brit :to leave quickly especially in order to escape
make off with (something) :to take or steal (something) and go away
make out
[phrasal verb]
make (something) out or make out (something) :to write down the required information on (something, such as a check)
make (something) out or make out (something)
to see and identify (something)
to hear and understand (something)
to learn or understand (something) by studying, searching, etc.
make (someone) out informal :to understand the behavior of (someone) - used in negative statements
make (someone or something) out :to describe (someone or something) in a specified and usually false way
informal - used to ask about or describe the success or progress of someone or something
chiefly US informal :to kiss and touch for a long time in a sexual way
make over
[phrasal verb]
make (something or someone) over or make over (something or someone) :to change the appearance of (something or someone)
make (something) over or make over (something) :to give (property) to another person in an official or legal way
make up
[phrasal verb]
make (something) up or make up (something) :to create or invent (a story, a lie, etc.)
make (something) up or make up (something)
to combine to produce (something)
to produce or create (something) by putting together different parts
to prepare (something) so that it is ready to be used
d Brit :to supply (something) according to directions
make (something) up or make up (something) :to provide an amount of time, money, etc., that is needed
make up (someone or something) or make (someone or something) up
to put makeup on (someone or someone's face)
to change the appearance of (someone or something) by using costumes, decorations, etc.
informal :to become friendly again after being angry
make up for (something) :to do or have something as a way of correcting or improving (something else)
make up to (someone) Brit informal + disapproving :to treat (someone) in a very friendly or helpful way in order to get something for yourself
make it up to (someone) :to do something helpful or good for (someone you have hurt or treated wrongly)
make up your mind
make your way, make way
noun
plural makes
[count] :a group of products that are all made by a particular company and given a particular name
on the make
informal + often disapproving
trying to get more money or power
trying to get sex