Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To understand, perceive, or decipher something with difficulty: To manage to see, hear, or comprehend something that is not clear or obvious.
   • To imply, suggest, or represent someone/something in a particular way: To describe, portray, or claim something, often falsely or in a misleading manner.
   • To complete a form or document by writing information: To write all necessary details on a document, such as a check or application.
   • To engage in passionate kissing and touching: To kiss and caress someone amorously or sexually for an extended period.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To manage, fare, or get along: To succeed, progress, or cope in a particular situation.
   • To engage in sexual intercourse: (Slang) To have sex.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Transitive - to understand):
  • I can't make out the small print on this contract.
  • Can you make out what she is saying over all that noise?
• Verb (Transitive - to imply/represent):
  • He made himself out to be an expert, but he knew very little.
  • The article makes out that the situation is hopeless.
• Verb (Transitive - to complete a form):
  • Please make the check out to "City Utilities".
  • I need to make out an application for the visa.
• Verb (Transitive - to kiss passionately):
  • They were making out in the movie theater.
• Verb (Intransitive - to manage/fare):
  • How did you make out on your final exam?
  • How is the new team making out this season?
• Verb (Intransitive - to have sex):
  • Did they make out on their first date? (This meaning is informal/slang).

Advanced Usage

• "Make out a case for/against": To present arguments or evidence to support or oppose something.
  • The lawyer made out a strong case for her client's innocence.
• "Make out like a bandit" (Idiom): To be very successful or gain a significant advantage, especially financially.
  • He invested early and made out like a bandit when the stock soared.

Variants and Related Words

• Make-do (verb/noun): To manage with the limited resources available.
  • We had to make-do with what was in the cupboard.
• Makeover (noun): A complete transformation or remodeling.
  • The house got a full makeover.

Synonyms

• Decipher / Discern: To perceive or understand (for "to understand").
• Portray / Represent: To depict or describe (for "to imply/represent").
• Complete / Fill in: To write information on (for "to complete a form").
• Kiss / Neck: (Informal) To kiss amorously (for "to kiss passionately").
• Manage / Fare / Cope: To get along or succeed (for "to manage/fare").

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Make up: To invent, reconcile, or apply cosmetics.
  • She had to make up a story to explain her lateness.
• Make for: To head toward or contribute to.
  • Let's make for the exit. His attitude makes for a difficult work environment.

Related Idioms

• Make something out to be: To represent or describe something as being a certain way.
  • The news made the storm out to be much worse than it actually was.
• Make out a list: To write or compile a list.
  • I'll make out a list of necessary supplies.

Verb

1. try to establish
   • She made out that she know nothing about the crime
2. imply or suggest
   • Your remarks make me out to be stupid
3. write all the required information onto a form
   • fill out this questionnaire, please!
   • make out a form
4. kiss, embrace, or fondle with sexual passion
   • The couple were necking in the back seat of the car
5. have sexual intercourse with
   • This student sleeps with everyone in her dorm
   • Adam knew Eve
   • Were you ever intimate with this man?
6. come to terms with
   • We got by on just a gallon of gas
   • They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
7. proceed or get along
   • How is she doing in her new job?
   • How are you making out in graduate school?
   • He's come a long way
8. comprehend
   • I cannot make out what this politician is saying
9. make out and issue
   • write out a check
   • cut a ticket
   • Please make the check out to me
10. detect with the senses
    • The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards
    • I can't make out the faces in this photograph