make - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

make

Third Person

makes

Present Participle

making

Past Tense

made

Past Participle

made

to form, produce, or prepare something, by putting parts together or by combining materials

transitive

The students will make a model of the solar system for the science fair.
The carpenter can make custom furniture based on your design preferences.
The factory workers make thousands of cars every month.
Handcrafted candles are made of high-quality beeswax or soy wax.
The dress was made of silk, adorned with intricate embroidery.

Synonyms:

produce create

to lead to a certain outcome, whether intentionally or unintentionally

transitive

Her comments can make confusion in the team.
The storm will make delays in our travel plans.
Lack of communication can make misunderstandings among family members.
Unexpected events can make alterations to our schedule.
Changes in weather can make discomfort for people with certain health conditions.

Synonyms:

cause do

to gain or earn money, as by doing business

transitive

She makes $75,000 a year from her graphic design business.
The professional athlete makes millions of dollars through endorsements.
The real estate agent helps people make money through property transactions.
Learning valuable skills can make it easier to make money in a competitive job market.
She decided to make extra income by freelancing on the weekends.

Synonyms:

earn gain realise pull in realize take in bring in clear

to arrive at a place or event

transitive

She had to make the party a bit late due to prior commitments.
We should start early to make the beach by noon.
We made Los Angeles in less than four hours with the light traffic.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the wedding due to a prior commitment.
Do you believe we'll make New York City by 3 PM?

Synonyms:

hit attain gain reach arrive at

to cause someone do something particular

The funny movie always makes me laugh uncontrollably.
The unexpected news made her gasp in surprise.
A catchy tune can make people tap their feet and dance.
The unexpected compliment made her blush.
What can I say to make you forgive me?

(dummy verb) to perform an action that is specified by a noun

transitive

She had to make a decision about which college to attend.
Can you make a suggestion for the theme of the party?
The speaker will make a speech at the conference next week.
He made a promise to always support his friends in times of need.
I didn't mean to make a mess in the kitchen; it was an accident.

to suit the requirements or characteristics of something particular

With her patience and knowledge, she would make a fantastic mentor.
The old barn has the potential to make a charming guesthouse with some renovations.
His dedication and leadership skills would make him a great team captain.
Her kindness and patience make her a perfect teacher.
The team's creativity and collaborative spirit make them well-suited for innovative projects.

to add up to a specific quantity or total

The total expenses make $500 for the month.
When you combine the numbers, they make a sum of 100.
The scores from both rounds make a final total of 150 points.
The hours spent studying make a total of 20 hours for the week.
Three apples and two oranges make a total of five pieces of fruit.

to try to persuade a particular person to consent to have sexual intercourse with one

transitive

He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever succeed in making Kate, as he had been trying for two years now.
Despite all her attempts to make Joe, he remained aloof and uninterested.
He had been trying to make Lucas for two years now, and he was starting to lose hope.
The thought of making Emily kept him motivated, even after months of rejection.

Synonyms:

score seduce

(in bridge, whist, or other similar card games) to successfully fulfill their contract by taking the required number of tricks

transitive

Despite challenging circumstances, the skilled player managed to make the contract by taking all the necessary tricks.
The strategic bidding allowed the team to make their slam contract and secure a substantial point advantage.
The declarer's clever play enabled them to make the game contract, earning valuable points for their team.
The precise card play helped the partnership make the contract, outsmarting the opposing defenders.
Despite the opponents' attempts to thwart their plans, the declarer still managed to make the vulnerable game contract.

to achieve a specific score or result in a sports game

transitive

The team made 45 points in the first quarter of the basketball game.
The basketball team made 110 points in the last game.
Despite the tough competition, the gymnast made a perfect 10 on her routine.
The quarterback made three touchdown passes in the football game.
The baseball pitcher made ten strikeouts in the championship game.

Synonyms:

have get

to succeed in reaching a particular status, position, or achievement

transitive

Despite numerous attempts, she couldn't make the top three in the competition.
Despite the tight schedule, they are determined to make the project deadline.
She practiced every day to make the varsity soccer team.
Despite initial doubts, he trained hard to make the starting lineup.
The author's goal is to make the bestseller list with her upcoming novel.

to count to a particular total

She canceled plans again, That makes the fourth time this month!
'We haven't finished the assignment yet', 'That makes three of us.'
I've spilled my coffee again, That makes the third time this week!
The computer crashed, That makes the third time in two days!
After today's meeting, that makes the third time we've discussed this topic.

to perform or act in a movie, play, or similar production

transitive

Tom Hanks has made many films, including "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan."
Meryl Streep is one of the most celebrated actresses of all time, having made over 100 films.
She's a very talented actress who has made many films.
He's been making television shows for over 20 years.

Synonyms:

create

to produce a visible effect by breaking, tearing, hitting, or removing material

transitive

The hammer made a crack in the wall as he tried to hang the painting.
Strong winds made a hole in the old tent during the storm.
The chef made a cut in the dough to create the perfect shape for the pie crust.
A stray bullet made a puncture in the tire, causing a flat on the highway.
The cat made scratches on the furniture with its claws.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

unmake

to turn into a particular type of person or thing

Don't make a habit out of being late.
You've made a huge mess in the kitchen.
It's important to try and make the most of your life.
I made painting the whole house my summer project.
She made it her mission to find the culprit.

to feature in a publication or news coverage

transitive

The scandal made the evening news, sparking a public outcry.
If the team wins the championship, it will make the front page of the sports section.
Her achievements in the field of medicine made the local newspaper.
The event made the front page, drawing attention to the community fundraiser.
The controversial interview made headlines, stirring debate among viewers.

(in sports) to successfully accomplish a specific action

transitive

After a failed attempt, the striker made the penalty kick on the second try.
In the penalty shootout, the goalkeeper blocked the first kick but couldn't make the second save.
The golfer struggled with the first swing, but managed to make the second one with precision.
The golfer needs to make this shot to stay in contention for the championship.
The soccer player made a precise cross, setting up a goal for the team.

to form or constitute a pair or group with a particular characteristic or quality

transitive

They made an incredible team on the basketball court.
The musicians made a harmonious ensemble during the concert.
The unlikely friendship between the shy introvert and the outgoing extrovert made an unusual duo.
The actors made a believable couple in the romantic movie.
The three friends made a formidable trio.

to appear to start an action

transitive

He made to leave the room, but then hesitated.
As the bell rang, the students made to exit the classroom.
The cat made to pounce on the unsuspecting bird.
The suspect suddenly made to run when the police approached.
The child made to grab the cookie when no one was looking.

to act or behave in a particular manner

transitive

She made as if she was interested in his story, but I could tell she was bored.
He made to care even though I knew he didn't.
He made as if he was surprised to see me, but I knew he had been expecting me.
She made out like she was an expert on the topic.
She made as if she didn't care about the news, but I could tell she was upset.

to decide specific arrangement or time

We need to schedule the meeting; let's make it 2:00 PM tomorrow.
What time works for everyone?Can we make it 8:00 for the dinner reservation?
To accommodate everyone's availability, let's make the appointment for Thursday afternoon.
Yesterday, we made it a 9:00 AM meeting to accommodate everyone's schedule.
How about making the study group session tomorrow in the library at 4:30 PM?

to cause something or someone to be changed in a specified way

We were going to order pizza for the party, but someone suggested to make it a potluck dinner instead.
I'll have a large coffee, please.Actually, make that a latte.
They took a classic novel and made the characters teenagers in a modern high school setting.
The deception in the business deal made him a cynic.
The professor suggested making the assignment a group project rather than an individual task.

to mix up a deck of cards thoroughly before dealing them in a card game

transitive

After each round, the dealer would make the cards to ensure a fair game.
Players often take turns making the deck to prevent any predictability in the card distribution.
Before the poker game began, the dealer carefully made the cards to eliminate any chance of cheating.
In blackjack, it's essential to make the cards effectively to maintain randomness and prevent card counting.
The card players gathered around the table, waiting for the dealer to make the deck for the next hand.

Synonyms:

make up

to change or shape something to transform it into something else

transitive

Can you make a paper airplane for me with this sheet of paper?
The artist can make a sculpture from a block of marble.
After hours of practice, he could make a delicate piece of pottery from a lump of clay.
With his woodworking skills, he could make intricate carvings out of a solid piece of wood.

to act like something or someone

transitive

At the costume party, she decided to make like a pirate, complete with an eye patch and a wooden leg.
At the party, everyone was encouraged to make a different animal for a fun game of charades.
During the game, he decided to make like a detective and solve the mystery.
The children giggled as their friend tried to make like a robot, moving stiffly and making mechanical noises.
During the play, the actor had to make a menacing villain with a sinister laugh.

Synonyms:

pretend make believe

to consider someone or something in a particular way

Don't make her as just another employee; she's a key contributor to the team's success.
Some people make the old building as a symbol of the town's rich history.
The media tends to make celebrities into larger-than-life figures, often distorting reality.

to translate a text from one language into another

She made the philosophical treaties Chinese, aiming to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.
The poet's works were made Italian, capturing the nuances and beauty of the original language.
The scientific findings were made Russian, expanding their reach and impact in the scientific community.
The religious texts were made Latin to ensure their dissemination and understanding across different regions.
To share the cultural richness, the novel was made Japanese, allowing a broader audience to appreciate its narrative.

to close doors, windows, or entrances

transitive

As a safety measure, make sure to make the windows and doors securely before leaving the house.
In anticipation of the storm, the residents decided to make all windows and doors tightly.
To maintain privacy, they always make the entrance gate during private gatherings.
The ancient city walls were built to make against any external attacks.

(of the tide) to start coming in or going out

As the sun set, the tide began to make, signaling the start of the incoming waves.
Sailors waited for the tide to make before navigating their boats into the harbor.
The fishermen knew it was time to cast their nets when they saw the tide making.
During the storm, the turbulent winds caused the tide to make more rapidly than usual.
Beachgoers enjoyed collecting shells as the tide started to make, revealing hidden treasures.