make
verb (transitive)
UK/meɪk/US/meɪk/
To reach or attain something.
Example Sentences
He made it to the top of the mountain.
She made her way through the crowd.
They made the deadline for the project submission.
He made it clear that he was not interested.
She made her presence known at the meeting.
They made it through the difficult times together.
He made it to the concert just in time.
She made it her goal to run a marathon.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun (countable)
UK/meɪk/US/meɪk/
A group or set of items treated as a single unit, often in an auction.
Example Sentences
They bid on several makes at the antique auction.
Each make includes a detailed description of the items.
He purchased a make of vintage coins.
The auctioneer announced the next make for bidding.
She specializes in fine art makes.
They split the make into smaller portions for different buyers.
The auction house handled thousands of makes during the event.
Each make was carefully cataloged before the auction began.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
interjection
UK/meɪk/US/meɪk/
Used to indicate agreement, acknowledgment, or to express surprise.
Example Sentences
Make, I'll do it right away.
Make! I didn't realize you were here.
Make, let's get started with the meeting.
Make, that sounds like a great idea.
Make, I'm on my way.
Make, can you help me with this task?
Make, I'll be there in five minutes.
Make, let's discuss the details now.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
To create, cause, or shape something into existence or effect.“Make” is a highly versatile verb. In its most common sense, it means to produce or create an object or situation: “I’ll make breakfast,” or “She’s making a scrapbook.” You might also use “make” to indicate causing something to happen: “His jokes make me laugh,” or “The new policy made changes inevitable.” As you speak or write, consider whether you’re referencing tangible creation (like crafting, cooking, building) or abstract influence (like compelling someone to do something or triggering a situation). Beyond creation or causation, “make” can form phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions. “Make up” might mean to invent an excuse, or to reconcile after a disagreement. “Make out” can refer to understanding something or, in casual contexts, to kissing or becoming romantic. “Make for” signals heading toward a destination or generating a result: “This makes for a tricky situation.” Grammatically, “make” works in imperative sentences (“Make sure you close the door”), conditional statements (“If you make it on time, we can catch the show”), and passive constructions (“This dish is made with fresh ingredients”). When using “make,” pay attention to your object—be it a physical product, a concept, or an effect you intend. “Make dinner,” “make a difference,” and “make me proud” all highlight different aspects of creation, transformation, or causation. Each phrase or phrasal verb modifies “make’s” meaning subtly, so choose carefully to express the exact kind of result or influence you desire. Practically, “make” is a go-to verb for describing production, completion, influence, or transformation, providing your audience with a clear picture of the action taken or the outcome you aim to achieve.
Alternatives
Depending on context, you can choose various synonyms for “make.” For tangible creation, “produce,” “create,” “craft,” or “construct” may fit—“He produced a beautiful melody on the piano,” “She created a new design.” If you’re emphasizing compelling or causing an effect, words like “cause,” “prompt,” “force,” or “induce” might work: “This ruling prompted everyone to protest.” For bringing an event to fruition, “organize,” “establish,” or “generate” might be appropriate, such as “They organized a successful fundraiser.” Each alternative can highlight different nuances, from physical construction (“build,” “form”) to intellectual or social influence (“lead to,” “bring about”). For personal changes or emotional triggers, “motivate,” “drive,” or “inspire” underscore how someone’s actions “make” another person feel or act a certain way. If you’re focusing on financial or practical gain, “earn” could be swapped in—“He earns good money” instead of “He makes good money.” Lastly, if you’d like to avoid multiple “makes” in a text, synonyms like “complete,” “execute,” or “achieve” may also convey a sense of finishing a task or fulfilling a goal, e.g., “We achieved record sales” rather than “We made record sales.”
Writing
When writing about “make,” narrow down exactly what kind of creation or effect you mean. Are you describing a physical product, like “make a cake,” or referencing a conceptual result, like “make a decision”? Consider pairing it with adverbs or prepositions for clarity—“carefully make a plan,” “make up new rules.” If you find yourself repeatedly using “make” in a paragraph, swap in synonyms that best capture the tone you want: “fashion,” “forge,” or “generate,” each adding a distinct flavor. In academic or formal contexts, you might lean on more precise alternatives. Instead of “make an impact,” say “have an impact” or “influence.” Rather than “make a conclusion,” you could opt for “draw a conclusion.” For instructions or step-by-step guides, “make” remains simple and direct: “Make a paste using flour and water,” or “Make sure to follow the safety procedures.” In narratives or essays, “make” also fosters conflict or resolution. A character might “make a promise,” “make a mistake,” or “make amends.” Each usage can propel plot points or highlight personalities. For example, “He made an unlikely friend in a foreign land,” reveals both the action (forming a friendship) and the sense of surprise. Taken together, “make” brings creation and effect to life in your text, but don’t be afraid to differentiate with synonyms or descriptive expansions so that your writing remains vibrant and unambiguous.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “make” appears constantly—“I need to make dinner,” “That makes no sense,” or “We made plans to hang out.” It’s the simplest go-to verb for describing creating, finalizing, or causing something. Friends may casually say, “I’ll make a quick run to the store,” or “She made me watch this new show,” blending the sense of performing a task and influencing someone’s actions. In popular phrases, you’ll hear “make do,” meaning to manage with limited resources: “We’ll have to make do with what we have.” Another staple is “make it,” implying success in arriving or achieving: “I’ll make it to the party,” or “I made it through the exam.” People also comment, “That made my day!” to express that something has uplifted their mood significantly. Meanwhile, if you’re short on time, you might warn, “We need to make haste!” In more playful banter, phrases like “make up a story” or “make up after a fight” depict either inventing a tale or reconciling differences. Additionally, “make sense” pops up to check understanding—“Does that make sense?” ensures clarity. Overall, “make” in casual contexts is straightforward, practical, and easy to follow. Whether talking about cooking, planning, or simply improving someone’s day, you’ll likely default to “make” as a quick, transparent verb to signal creation or effect in everyday chatter.
Etymology
The English verb “make” derives from Old English “macian,” which meant “to build, construct, or do.” This term also appears in similar forms across the Germanic languages—like Dutch “maken” or German “machen”—and ties back to Proto-Germanic roots that conveyed ideas of shaping or producing. Over time, “make” expanded its range in Middle and Early Modern English, coming to include not just physical creation (“make a table”) but also causing or compelling an action or event (“make someone laugh,” “make a decision”). Through the centuries, “make” has stayed central to how English speakers articulate transformation, production, and influence. Literary works and religious texts often highlight its dynamic range—e.g., “make peace,” “make amends,” or “make one’s way”—reflecting evolving social and cultural priorities. With modern expansions in technology and media, new phrasal verbs have emerged—“make up,” “make out,” “make over,” “make for”—all capturing different shades of transformation and action. This adaptability speaks to how “make,” as a root verb, anchors the language of creation and impact, bridging earlier eras of craftsmanship with current forms of personal and societal expression.