make out

present singular third person makes out · participle present making out · participle past made out · past made out

1. transitiveTo draw up (a document etc.), to designate (a cheque).First known use 15th c.

   Cheques may be made out to the Foo Bar Company.

2. obsoletetransitiveTo send out.First known use 16th–17th c.

   The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job I:17

   Synonyms: detect, spot, squeeze, neck, grope, touch up, make whoopee

3. transitiveTo discern; to manage to see, hear etc.First known use 16th c.

   In the distance, I could just make out a shadowy figure.

   2 more examples

   Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.

   [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC

   There was a startling lack of creativity and if Van Gaal had listened closely he would have made out the mocking chants from the away end, as the visiting fans embarked on the repertoire of songs that formed the soundtrack to David Moyes’s time in the job.

   2014 August 16, Daniel Taylor, “Swansea upstage Manchester United in Louis van Gaal’s Premier League bow”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2015

   Synonyms: descry

4. USintransitiveregionalTo manage, get along; to do (well, badly etc.).First known use 17th c.

   Oh, you were on a TV game show? How did you make out?

   2 more examples

   Regarding money—I shall economize and make out probably very well from now on—without any outside help.

   1931 June 5, Hart Crane, Letters of Hart Crane and his family, New York: Columbia University Press, published 1974, →OCLC, To Clarence Arthur Crane, page 645, paragraph 2

   'Will this little shack serve – or do we go further?' I asked. 'Oh, I guess we'll make out,' she said. And together we waded through the delicate cream carpet to explore.

   1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids

   Synonyms: make do

5. ambitransitiveTo represent; to make (something) appear to be true.First known use 17th c.

   His version of the story makes me out (to be) the bad guy.

   1 more example

   She hadn't invited me to a party at her house since the third grade, and here she was, making out like we'd never stopped being friends.

   2002, Meg Cabot, All-American Girl, 2003 paperback edition, New York: Harper Trophy, →ISBN, page 134

6. USintransitiveslangTo get along with (someone).

   Him and I always make out well.

7. USintransitiveslangTo make an (often temporary) home.

   I'll make out in this room for the night.

8. USintransitiveslangTo embrace and kiss passionately.First known use 20th c.

   We found a secluded spot where we could make out in private.

   Synonyms: neck, buss, goozer, kiss, lallygag, lips, lock lips, osculate

9. USintransitivenonstandardrareslangTo engage in heavy petting or sexual intercourse.First known use 20th c.

   Synonyms: cop a feel, make it