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to make

to make

1.0
To create something by putting parts together
  • verb
  • /meɪk/
translation icon : hacer
  • They want to make a homemade cake for the party this weekend.
  • make a decision
  • make connections
  • make a contribution

The point of this is it's time to make the sauce.

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Examples

  • The point of this is it's time to make the sauce.

  • People would make things, we would make things with trees and dirt.

  • Next on the list, learn how to make a great look.

  • Make something big that can make you big money.

  • Do you guys think we should make our own shoes?

  • Find examples and descriptions for them to make it easy to use in the classroom.

    Academic text (2015)
  • So this would allow us to make proofs, right?

  • So first, you're going to make this on the front.

  • But right now, it's time to make a giant Oreo cookie.

  • So I'm going to try to make a rum caramel.

Synonyms

to create
vsto make
1.0

To make something new that does not exist yet

is comparable but also stresses making by joining parts or effort
to build
vsto make
1.0

To make something by joining parts or materials

is broader, also covering simple or mental forms of producing
to produce
vsto make
2.0

To make something, often in large amounts for sale

is similar but also highlights active assembling or creative effort
to put together
vsto make
988 2.8

To make something by joining parts, like a model, plan or team

is broader, covering both assembly and other ways of producing things
to establish
vsto make
772 4.1

To start something that is meant to last

is broader, including short-term or informal acts of producing things
to create
vsto make
638 3.4

To make things like paintings, music, or stories for enjoyment

is more general, covering both artistic and nonartistic production
to make up
vsto make
239 2.7

Be the parts that form a whole

is more general, also including creation by thought or art
to construct
vsto make
201 3.5

To build something by joining parts or materials

is more general, including nonstructural production and creative acts
to assemble
vsto make
169 2.9

To put parts together to make something like a machine or toy

is wider, applying to physical making and nonphysical creation
to form
vsto make
156 1.6

To make or shape something

is broader, also including simple assembly without shaping focus
to compose
vsto make
102 3.5

To make writing, music, or a plan

is wider, covering artistic creation and practical assembly equally
to lay down
vsto make
  • Formal
70 3.9

Officially set a rule or law that people must follow

is more general, covering informal or creative production as well
to fabricate
vsto make
  • Specialized
30 5.5

To make something from parts in a factory

is more general, not limited to industrial manufacturing methods
to cobble together
vsto make
  • Informal
16 5.2

Make something quickly and roughly from things you have

is more neutral, not implying speed or poor quality in production

To make something using raw materials

is broader, also including making from existing components or ideas
to create mentally
vsto make
6.7

To form an idea or picture in your mind

includes mental creation but also physical assembly or production methods

Antonyms

1.0

Damage something so badly that it cannot be used or fixed

64 4.2

Take something apart into separate pieces

Idioms

Act in a way that makes you look silly or embarrassed

To become successful and have a better life by working hard

Relax and act like you are at home

To become known for what you do by working hard

to make or break
  • Informal
26 4.5

Decide whether something is a complete success or failure

to make my day
  • Informal
23 5.6

To give someone great happiness

21 4.9

To earn a lot of money very quickly and easily

Move parts of your face to show dislike, pain, or to be funny

To reduce an amount like cost or work in an obvious way

12 3.4

To become friendly again after an argument

11 4.1

To get noticed for your work in an area, for example in art or business

Get a lot of attention in an exciting way

Decide or think of things during a situation without planning ahead

10 7.7

To tell someone to hurry

To reach the level needed to succeed

7 8.5

To act in a way that makes you look foolish in front of others

Say something openly and directly without hiding it

6 7.0

To cause someone to feel very angry

to make hay
  • Informal
5 6.6

To use a good chance to get an advantage

4 7.0

To leave someone feeling overwhelmed or confused by too much information

to make a stink
  • Informal
4 6.8

Complain loudly in public to get attention

Treat a small problem as if it were very serious

3 6.3

To spend the whole evening enjoying yourself

3 8.4

Make someone look silly in front of other people by tricking or embarrassing them

3 7.4

To cause someone to feel confused or overwhelmed by too much information

The most important thing that makes life keep going, like money or love

2 8.4

Get a lot of money or things by luck

2 3.0

To give someone a lot of happiness, often by a small kind act

To marry a woman, often after a romantic or sexual relationship, to make the relationship legal and respected

To tell the whole truth about something wrong you did

to make a boo-boo
  • Baby Talk
1 8.4

To do something wrong by accident in a small, silly way

1 9.1

To pass urine from the body

1 8.3

Act as if something is much more difficult or important than it is

1 7.6

To eat or drink too much

Act while a good chance is still there

Turn a bad situation into something good

to make a boob
  • Archaic
1 8.2

To do something foolish or embarrassing by mistake

1 7.5

To behave so others notice you in an embarrassing way

Do something very badly and spoil how it turns out

To do something that makes both people look foolish

1 9.9

Cause great sadness or disappointment, often as a joke

To find the good side in something you cannot avoid

To look and act in a sexy way for a camera

To take the lead in a group or activity and get others to follow

Nice clothes make a person look more impressive

To accept the bad results of your own choices

7.8

To be very funny in a silly way that makes people laugh

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

Try hard to do a difficult task and succeed a little

to make a sally
  • Literature
9.0

To go out quickly on a short trip with a clear purpose

To do something badly so it goes wrong

Turn something of low quality into something valuable

Phrasal Verbs

1.1

Check or do something so you are sure about it

972 3.2

Invent a story or excuse that is not true

858 1.4

To be easy to understand and seem reasonable

Say something so other people understand what you mean

Cause a clear, positive change in a situation or person

477 1.2

To get money by working or running a business

431 3.7

To arrive at a place or event even with problems

to make it
  • Informal
377 3.2

To pass a test or be chosen in a selection

Help someone feel happier when they are sad or sick

to make it
  • Informal
311 3.4

To survive after danger or a serious problem

to make fun of
  • Offensive
307 2.3

Laugh at someone or say things that make them feel embarrassed

296 5.3

Have sex with someone you love or care about

To choose what to do after thinking about the options

252 2.8

Do work you missed to catch up

Cause someone to feel amused by saying or doing something funny

239 2.7

Be the parts that form a whole

to make it
  • Informal
207 3.4

To become very successful in a job or career

To choose between different options after thinking

Do something kind for someone to show you are sorry for making them unhappy

Get something you want by working to reach it

134 1.0

Begin to be friendly with someone

130 8.1

To kiss and touch someone in a sexual way

129 3.5

Try to do something on purpose because it is important

To show an opinion in public by what you wear or do

119 3.7

Help to cause something to happen

119 3.2

To start doing something yourself after waiting or thinking

113 2.8

To get in touch with someone after a time without talking

109 4.6

To see, hear, or understand something when it is hard

Decide after thinking about the choices

To decide what to do in an important situation

To phone someone

89 3.4

To stop arguing and become friendly again

To allow someone or something to do what they could not before

79 2.6

Put makeup on your face to change how you look

77 2.7

Become friends again after a fight

70 3.9

To keep a promise

To do something important that people will remember for a long time

Create something of the highest quality

To give reasons to support or oppose an idea

57 2.3

Move aside to let a person or vehicle pass

56 3.5

To live on a small amount of money

To do something to fix a mistake and show you are sorry

To earn a lot of money, often in a short time

Cause someone to feel happy or amused

49 3.7

Use what you have even if it is not enough

48 2.6

Tidy a bed or room so it looks neat

46 3.7

To write all needed information on a form or document

45 3.5

Find time for something important by changing other plans

to make a scene
  • Informal
45 4.9

Act loudly in public to show strong feeling and get attention

42 1.3

To make a sound that is loud or easy to hear

to make headlines
  • Literature
40 3.2

To get a lot of attention in the news

To cause a situation to become more difficult or unpleasant

To give up something important to help other people or reach a long-term goal

36 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

Go to an event, often briefly or in a formal way

Keep a promise or pay what you owe

35 2.8

Give a formal talk to people at a public or special event

To become popular or successful again after a time away

Always do something because you think it is important

Sit down and relax as if you are at home

To be chosen to join a team after a test or tryout

to make out
  • Informal
27 6.0

To pretend or claim something is true when it is not

to make news
  • Literature
26 3.4

To get attention by appearing in news reports

Find time to do something even when busy

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

Complain loudly about something small

To treat something as silly and show no respect

Be sure to do something regularly

To take action that causes events or results

to make out
  • Informal
20 3.7

To manage or get by during a difficult time

19 6.4

To run away quickly after stealing or committing a crime

to make it big
  • Informal
18 4.1

Become very successful in a job or career

Pretend something is real for fun or play

Compounds

36 2.0

Things people put on their face or body to change how they look

33 3.2

Play in which people pretend and imagine stories and roles

18 3.5

An event that takes place later to replace one cancelled or missed

4 4.2

The parts that form a person, group or thing

3 3.7

Imaginary and made to seem real for play or stories

1 8.4

Tasks given mainly to keep someone busy instead of producing useful results

1 5.7

A temporary thing used instead of what you need

How Creative

to invent
532 3.1
to create
1.0
to craft
170 3.2
to make
1.0
to assemble
169 2.9

Surface Forms

make infinitive
making present participle
makes third person singular
made past
made past participle

Etymology

Make comes from the Old English macian, which meant 'to build' or 'to do'. So to make something is to build or create it.