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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | macian |
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make1 S1 W1
past tense and past participle made
past tense and past participle made1 to produce something, for example by putting the different parts of it together : 
I'm going to show you how to make a box for your tools.A family of mice had made their nest in the roof. She made her own wedding dress. The company has been making quality furniture for over 200 years. They met while they were making a film. Make a list of all the things you need.
produce
[transitive]I'm going to show you how to make a box for your tools.A family of mice had made their nest in the roof.She made her own wedding dress.The company has been making quality furniture for over 200 years.They met while they were making a film.Make a list of all the things you need. Japanese-made/English-made etc (=produced in Japan etc)
2 used with some nouns to say that someone does something : Anyone can make a mistake. I can't make a decision just yet. I need to make a quick phone call. You could have made more effort to talk to him. He made no attempt to apologize. Could I make a suggestion? There are a few points I'd like to make. The police were called but no arrests were made. I suppose we should make a start on cleaning this room. Stop making such a fuss!
do
[transitive]Anyone can make a mistake.I can't make a decision just yet.I need to make a quick phone call.You could have made more effort to talk to him.He made no attempt to apologize.Could I make a suggestion?There are a few points I'd like to make.The police were called but no arrests were made.I suppose we should make a start on cleaning this room.Stop making such a fuss!3 to cook or prepare food or drink : When was the last time you made a cake? John was making breakfast in the kitchen. Who's going to make the tea?
cook
[transitive]When was the last time you made a cake?John was making breakfast in the kitchen.Who's going to make the tea? make somebody something I'll make you some sandwiches.
I'll make you some sandwiches.4 to cause something to happen, or cause a particular state or condition : Its beautiful beaches make this a highly popular area with tourists. It was this movie which made him a star. His attitude made him very unpopular with colleagues. The photo makes her look much older than she really is.
cause
[transitive]Its beautiful beaches make this a highly popular area with tourists.It was this movie which made him a star.His attitude made him very unpopular with colleagues.The photo makes her look much older than she really is. make something difficult/easy/possible etc The use of computers has made it possible for more people to work from home.
The use of computers has made it possible for more people to work from home. make something the best/worst/most expensive etc Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area.
Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area.5 to force someone to do something
force
[transitive]6 to cause a mark, hole etc to appear
mark/hole etc
[transitive]7
make it
a) to succeed in getting somewhere in time for something or when this is difficult : If we run, we should make it.
If we run, we should make it.b) to be successful at something, for example in your job :
make it to England look less likely to make it to the finals.
England look less likely to make it to the finals.c) spoken to be able to go to an event, meeting etc that has been arranged : I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to make it on Sunday after all. Nice to see you. I'm glad you could make it.
I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to make it on Sunday after all.Nice to see you. I'm glad you could make it.d) informal to continue to live after you have been seriously ill or badly injured : Frank was very ill, and the doctors didn't think he'd make it.
Frank was very ill, and the doctors didn't think he'd make it.e) to manage to deal with a difficult experience
f) used to say or ask what time it is according to your own or someone else's watch : What time do you make it? I make it ten past three.
What time do you make it?I make it ten past three.8 to be able to go to something that has been arranged for a particular date or time : I'm sorry, I can't make Friday after all. Will you be able to make the next meeting?
make the meeting/the party/Tuesday etc
spokenI'm sorry, I can't make Friday after all.Will you be able to make the next meeting?9 to succeed in achieving a particular position, rate etc : He was never good enough to make the team. I don't think we'll make the deadline.
achieve something
[transitive]He was never good enough to make the team.I don't think we'll make the deadline.10 to earn or get money : The plan could cost you more than you would make.
get money
[transitive]The plan could cost you more than you would make.11 to have the qualities that are necessary for a particular job, use, or purpose
have a quality
[linking verb] + noun I'm sure you will make a very good teacher. The hall would make an ideal venue for a wedding reception. An old cardboard box makes a comfortable bed for a kitten.
I'm sure you will make a very good teacher.The hall would make an ideal venue for a wedding reception.An old cardboard box makes a comfortable bed for a kitten.12 used to correct what you have just said : Can we have two cups of coffee, please? No, make that three.
make it/that something
spokenCan we have two cups of coffee, please? No, make that three.13 to manage with the things that you have, even though this is not really enough : I hardly had any food in the house so I just had to make do. For many people, make do and mend (=when someone manages with the things they have and does not buy anything new) was a harsh reality.
make do
I hardly had any food in the house so I just had to make do.For many people, make do and mend (=when someone manages with the things they have and does not buy anything new) was a harsh reality.14 to succeed in getting someone to hear you, understand you, or know that you are there : I had to shout to make myself heard above the music.
make yourself heard/understood/known etc
I had to shout to make myself heard above the music.15 to be a particular amount when added together : Two and two make four. There are nine people coming, plus me, which makes ten.
be a total
[linking verb]Two and two make four.There are nine people coming, plus me, which makes ten.16 used to say what you have calculated a number to be : I make that $150 altogether.
calculate
[transitive]I make that $150 altogether.17 to achieve a particular score in a sports game : Surrey had made 92 by lunchtime.
sports score
[transitive]Surrey had made 92 by lunchtime.18 to give someone a new job or position in a group, organization etc : She's now been made a full partner. He was made mayor in 1998.
make somebody captain/leader etc
She's now been made a full partner.He was made mayor in 1998.19 to pretend or imagine that something is true when it is not : I tried to make believe she was happy, but knew deep down it wasn't true. ➔ make-believe
make believe
I tried to make believe she was happy, but knew deep down it wasn't true. 20 to behave as if something is true when it is not : He makes like he never met me before.
make like
informalHe makes like he never met me before.21 to seem as if you are going to do something but then not do it : She made as if to speak but then stopped.
make as if to do something
literaryShe made as if to speak but then stopped.22 to arrive at or get to a particular place, especially when it is difficult : I don't think we're going to make the town before nightfall.
arrive
[transitive] old-fashionedI don't think we're going to make the town before nightfall.23 to be interesting or important enough to be printed in a newspaper, reported on television etc : News of their divorce made the headlines.
make the papers/headlines/front page etc
News of their divorce made the headlines.24 to cause something or someone either to be very successful or to fail completely : Critics can make or break a young performer. ➔ make-or-break
make or break
Critics can make or break a young performer.25 used to say that you agree with someone or that something that is true of them is true of you too : 'I haven't a clue what's going on.' 'That makes two of us.'
that makes two of us
spoken'I haven't a clue what's going on.' 'That makes two of us.'26 to make something complete or successful : The hat makes the outfit.
make something perfect
[transitive] informalThe hat makes the outfit. ➔ made
➔ make somebody's day
at day (19)➔ make friends
at friend (3)➔ make good
at good1 (35)➔ make sense
at sense1 (5)make away with somebody/something
phrasal verb1 informal to steal something and take it away with you : Thieves made away with the contents of the safe.
Thieves made away with the contents of the safe.2 old-fashioned to kill someone
make for something
phrasal verb1 to go in the direction of a particular place [= head for]: I think it's time we made for home.
I think it's time we made for home.2 [not in progressive] to cause a particular result or situation : Both teams are on good form, which should make for a great game.
Both teams are on good form, which should make for a great game.➔ made for each other
at made (6)make somebody/something into something
phrasal verb1 to change something so that it has a different form or purpose : We can make your room into a study.
We can make your room into a study.2 to change someone's character, job, position in society etc : The movie made her into a star overnight.
The movie made her into a star overnight.make something of somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to have a particular opinion about or understanding of something or someone : I didn't know what to make of her. What do you make of the idea?
I didn't know what to make of her.What do you make of the idea? 2 to use the opportunities that you have in order to become successful : I want to make something of my life.
I want to make something of my life.3 to get as much advantage as you can from a situation while you are able to : We've only got one day in Paris, so we'd better make the most of it.
make the most of something
We've only got one day in Paris, so we'd better make the most of it.4 to treat something as if it is more important than it really is : It would be a mistake to make too much of these findings.
make too much of something
It would be a mistake to make too much of these findings.➔ make much of somebody/something
at much2 (17)5 to spend a whole day, night etc doing something, because you have chosen to : We decided to take a picnic and make a day of it.
make a day/night/evening of it
informalWe decided to take a picnic and make a day of it.➔ make a go of something
at go2 (3)➔ make the best of something
at best3 (9)➔ see what somebody is made of
at made (4)make off
phrasal verbThe men made off as the police arrived.make off with something
phrasal verbThieves broke into the school and made off with computer equipment worth £40,000.make out
phrasal verb1 to be just able to see or hear something : He could just make out a dark shape moving towards him.
see/hear
make something ↔ out
He could just make out a dark shape moving towards him.2 to understand something, especially the reason why something has happened
understand something
make something ↔ out
3 to understand someone's character and the way they behave : Stuart's a strange guy - I can't make him out at all.
understand somebody
make somebody ↔ out
[usually in questions and negatives]Stuart's a strange guy - I can't make him out at all.4 to write something such as a bill or cheque : She was making out a list of people to invite. The book gives advice on making out a will.
write cheque etc
make something ↔ out
She was making out a list of people to invite.The book gives advice on making out a will.5 to say that something is true when it is not : The situation was never as bad as the media made out.
say/pretend
make somebody/something ↔ out
The situation was never as bad as the media made out.6 to find good reasons that prove something or show why you need something : We made out a case for hiring another assistant.
make out a case (for something)
We made out a case for hiring another assistant.7 to succeed or progress in a particular way : How did you make out this morning?
succeed
especially American EnglishHow did you make out this morning?8 to kiss and touch someone in a sexual way
sex
informal especially American English9 to get or win a lot of money : The lawyers made out like bandits.
make out like a bandit
American English informalThe lawyers made out like bandits.make something out of somebody/something
phrasal verbThe Olympics can make sporting heroes out of previously little-known athletes.make something/somebody ↔ over
phrasal verb1 especially British English to officially and legally give money or property to someone else
2 to change someone or something so that they look different or have a different use : Redgrave has made herself over completely for her movie role.
Redgrave has made herself over completely for her movie role.make towards something
phrasal verbShe made towards the door.make up
phrasal verb1 to combine together to form something [= constitute]: Women make up only a small proportion of the prison population.
form/be
make up something
[not in progressive]Women make up only a small proportion of the prison population.2 to pretend that something is true in order to deceive someone : I think they're making the whole thing up. ➔ made-up (1)
pretend something is true
make something ↔ up
I think they're making the whole thing up.3 to produce a new story, song, game etc by thinking : Nick made up a song about them. When you're the boss you can make up your own rules. I've given talks so many times that now I just make them up as I go along (=think of things to say as I am speaking).
invent
make something ↔ up
Nick made up a song about them.When you're the boss you can make up your own rules.I've given talks so many times that now I just make them up as I go along (=think of things to say as I am speaking).4 to prepare something by mixing things or putting things together : I could make up a bed for you on the sofa. Can you make up a bottle of milk for the baby?
prepare
make something ↔ up
I could make up a bed for you on the sofa.Can you make up a bottle of milk for the baby?5 to put make-up (=special coloured substances) on someone's face in order to make them look better or different : They made him up as an old man for the last act of the play. One lucky winner will have the chance to be made up and photographed. ! Do not use the verb make up when you are talking about putting coloured substances on your own face. Say that you wear make-up or put on make-up. ➔ made-up (2)
somebody's face
DCBmake somebody ↔ up
They made him up as an old man for the last act of the play.One lucky winner will have the chance to be made up and photographed.6 to add to an amount in order to bring it up to the level that is needed : I saved as much as I could, and my parents made up the rest.
number/amount
make something ↔ up
especially British EnglishI saved as much as I could, and my parents made up the rest.7 to work at times when you do not usually work, because you have not done as much work as you should : I'm trying to make up the time I lost while I was sick. Is it OK if I make the work up next week?
time/work
make something ↔ up
I'm trying to make up the time I lost while I was sick.Is it OK if I make the work up next week?8 to become friendly with someone again after you have had an argument
friends
also make it up informal9 to produce something from cloth by cutting and sewing : The dress had been made up to her exact requirements.
from cloth
make something ↔ up
DLThe dress had been made up to her exact requirements.➔ make up your mind
at mind1 (3)make up for something
phrasal verb1 to make a bad situation better, or replace something that has been lost : The team will be anxious to make up for a disappointing start to the season. I don't eat breakfast but I make up for it at lunch.
The team will be anxious to make up for a disappointing start to the season.I don't eat breakfast but I make up for it at lunch.2 to have so much of one quality that it is not important that you do not have much of another one
make up for something in/with What Jay lacked in experience, he made up for in enthusiasm. Caroline doesn't have a natural talent for music but she makes up for it with hard work.
What Jay lacked in experience, he made up for in enthusiasm.Caroline doesn't have a natural talent for music but she makes up for it with hard work.3 to do something to show that you are sorry for doing something that upset or annoyed someone : I'm sorry I was late. To make up for it, let me treat you to a meal.
I'm sorry I was late. To make up for it, let me treat you to a meal.4
make up for lost time
a) to work more quickly, or at times when you do not usually work, because something has prevented you from doing the work before : We rehearsed all day Saturday, to make up for lost time.
We rehearsed all day Saturday, to make up for lost time.b) to do a lot of something in an eager way because you have not had a chance to do it before : Palin didn't travel much as a young man but he's certainly made up for lost time now.
Palin didn't travel much as a young man but he's certainly made up for lost time now.make up to somebody
phrasal verb1 to do something to show that you are sorry about the problems you have caused someone : I'll make it up to you somehow. He was looking for a way to make up to her for what he had done.
make (it) up to somebody
I'll make it up to you somehow.He was looking for a way to make up to her for what he had done.2 British English informal to say nice things to someone or be very friendly to them in order to get an advantage for yourself - used in order to show disapproval
3 to be given a higher position in an organization : He was a security guard before he was made up to reception manager.
be made up to captain/manager etc
He was a security guard before he was made up to reception manager.WORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE: 
made from, made of, made by When you are talking about the materials that are used to make something, you say that it is made of or made from those materials. Use made from when the original materials have been completely changed and cannot be recognized • Paper is made from wood. Use made of when the original materials have not been completely changed and you can still see them • a table made of wood!! Do not use made by when you are talking about the materials something is made from • a small purse made of leather (NOT a small purse made by leather). Made by is used to talk about the person or company that made something • All the furniture in this room was made by my grandfather.
WORD CHOICE: made from, made of, made by When you are talking about the materials that are used to make something, you say that it is made of or made from those materials. Use made from when the original materials have been completely changed and cannot be recognized • Paper is made from wood. Use made of when the original materials have not been completely changed and you can still see them • a table made of wood!! Do not use made by when you are talking about the materials something is made from • a small purse made of leather (NOT a small purse made by leather). Made by is used to talk about the person or company that made something • All the furniture in this room was made by my grandfather.
