performing a function

1 to produce or create something:
They make cars in that factory.
He made a box out of some pieces of wood.
This shirt is made of cotton.

2 to cause something to be or to happen; to produce something:
The plane made a loud noise when it landed.
Chocolate makes you fat.
That film made me cry.
I made a mistake.

3 to force somebody to do something:
My father made me stay at home.

4 to choose somebody to do a job:
They made him President.

5 a word that you use with money, numbers and time:
She makes (= earns) a lot of money.
Five and seven make twelve.
'What's the time?' 'I make it six o'clock.'

6 to be able to go somewhere:
I'm afraid I can't make the meeting on Friday.

make do with something to use something that is not very good, because there is nothing better:
We didn't have a table, but we made do with some boxes.

make something into something to change something so that it becomes a different thing:
They made the bedroom into an office.

make something or somebody out to be able to see, hear or understand something or somebody:
It was dark and I couldn't make out the words on the sign.

make something up to tell somebody something that is not true same meaning invent:
Nobody believes that story – he made it up!

make up to become friends again after an argument:
Jane and Tom had an argument last week, but they've made up now.
Has she made up with him yet?
opposite fall out with somebody

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

make

I. verb

I. make1 S1 W1 /meɪk/ verb (past tense and past participle made /meɪd/)
[Word Family: noun: make, remake, maker, making; verb: make, remake; adjective: unmade]
[Language: Old English; Origin: macian]
1. PRODUCE [transitive] 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.
  make somebody something
   • He made her a toy horse, using just some straw and bamboo twigs.
  be made from something
   • Paper is made from wood.
  be made (out) of something
   • a shirt made of silk
  make something from/out of something
   • She’s very good at making things from old scraps of material.
  Japanese-made/English-made etc (=produced in Japan etc) ⇨ make the bed at bed1(1)
  GRAMMAR
   Use made from especially when the materials used to make something have been completely changed and cannot be recognized:
   ▪ • a wine made from Chilean grapes
   Use made of when the materials have not been completely changed and can still be recognized:
   ▪ • The wheels were made of wood.

    ► Do not use 'made by' when talking about the materials used to make something.
2. DO [transitive] 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!
3. COOK [transitive] 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?
  make somebody something
   • I’ll make you some sandwiches.
4. CAUSE [transitive] 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.
  make somebody/something do something
   • I like him because he makes me laugh.
  make something difficult/easy/possible etc
   • 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.
   • The President has made it clear that he is not going to change his mind.
  REGISTER
   In written English, people often use cause somebody to do something rather than make somebody do something, as it sounds more formal:
   ▪ • His attitude caused him to be unpopular with colleagues.
5. FORCE [transitive] to force someone to do something
  make somebody do something
   • My parents always make me do my homework before I go out.
  be made to do something
   • I was made to wait four hours before I was examined by a doctor.
6. MARK/HOLE ETC [transitive] to cause a mark, hole etc to appear
  make a hole/dent/mark etc
   • Make a hole in the paper.
   • The cup has made a mark on the table.
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.
  make it to
   • With blood pouring from his leg, he made it to a nearby house.
   b) to be successful at something, for example in your job:
   • He came to the US and not only made it but made it big (=was extremely successful).
   • So far, relatively few women have made it to the top in the business world.
  make it as
   • He was told he had no talent and would never make it as a professional singer.
  make it to
   • England look less likely to make it to the finals.
  make it to manager/director etc
   • How did anyone so stupid make it to manager?
   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.
   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.
   e) to manage to deal with a difficult experience
  make it through
   • I couldn’t have made it through those times without the support of my boyfriend.
   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.
8. make the meeting/the party/Tuesday etc spoken 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?
9. ACHIEVE SOMETHING [transitive] 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.
10. GET MONEY [transitive] to earn or get money:
   • The plan could cost you more than you would make.
   • They made a profit of £140 million.
   • His one aim in life was to make money.
   • She hopes to make a living (=earn the money she needs to live) from writing children’s books.
   • He’s made a fortune (=earned a lot of money) selling computers on the Internet.
  make something out of something
   • How easy is it to make money out of gardening?
11. HAVE A QUALITY [linking verb] to have the qualities that are necessary for a particular job, use, or purpose
  make 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.
12. make it/that something spoken used to correct what you have just said:
   • Can we have two cups of coffee, please? No, make that three.
13. make do 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.
  make do with/without
   • I usually make do with a cup of coffee for breakfast.
   • 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. make yourself heard/understood/known etc 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.
15. BE A TOTAL [linking verb] to be a particular amount when added together:
   • Two and two make four.
   • There are nine people coming, plus me, which makes ten.
16. CALCULATE [transitive] used to say what you have calculated a number to be:
   • I make that $150 altogether.
17. SPORTS SCORE [transitive] to achieve a particular score in a sports game:
   • Surrey had made 92 by lunchtime.
18. make somebody captain/leader etc 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.
19. make believe 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
20. make like informal to behave as if something is true when it is not:
   • He makes like he never met me before.
21. make as if to do something literary to seem as if you are going to do something but then not do it:
   • She made as if to speak but then stopped.
22. ARRIVE [transitive] old-fashioned 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.
23. make the papers/headlines/front page etc to be interesting or important enough to be printed in a newspaper, reported on television etc:
   • News of their divorce made the headlines.
24. make or break 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
25. that makes two of us spoken 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.’
26. MAKE SOMETHING PERFECT [transitive] informal to make something complete or successful:
   • The hat makes the outfit.
27. make it with somebody old-fashioned informal to have sex with someone
⇨ made, ⇨ make sb’s day at day(19), ⇨ make friends at friend(3), ⇨ make good at good1(35), ⇨ make sense at sense1(5)
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ make used about things you make yourself, or things that are made in a factory: • Diane makes all her own clothes. | • My camera was made in China.
   ▪ produce to make something in large quantities to be sold, or to make something as the result of a natural process: • The factory produces high-quality steel. | • Japan produces some of the most advanced mobile phones. | • The pancreas is a gland in your body which produces hormones.
   ▪ create to make something new and original: • Tarantino created a whole new style of films. | • Many companies invest a lot of money in creating new products. | • Potter was famous for creating characters such as ‘Peter Rabbit’. | • This technique is used to create images of beautiful forests.
   ▪ manufacture to make machines, cars, equipment etc in factories: • The company manufactures aircraft parts.
   ▪ mass-produce to make very large quantities of something in a factory: • They developed a way to mass-produce the drug.
   ▪ develop to design and make something new over a period of time: • In 1962, Enders developed an effective vaccine against measles. | • The company is developing new anti-virus software.
   ▪ form to make something as the result of a natural process or chemical reaction: • Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water. | • The research will help us understand how planets are formed.
   ▪ generate to make something such as heat, electricity, or power: • Wind can be used to generate electricity.
make away with somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. informal to steal something and take it away with you:
   • Thieves made away with the contents of the safe.
  2. old-fashioned to kill someone
make for something phrasal verb [not in passive]
  1. to go in the direction of a particular place SYN head for:
   • 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.
   ⇨ made for each other at made(6)
make somebody/something into something phrasal verb
  1. to change something so that it has a different form or purpose SYN convert:
   • 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.
make something of somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. 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?
  2. to use the opportunities that you have in order to become successful:
   • I want to make something of my life.
  make something of yourself
   • She has the ambition and talent to make something of herself.
  3. make the most of something 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.
  4. make too much of something 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 much of somebody/something at much2(17)
  5. make a day/night/evening of it informal 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 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 verb
   to leave quickly, especially in order to escape:
   • The men made off as the police arrived.
  make off along/across/through etc
   • The getaway car made off towards Horrocks Avenue.
make off with something phrasal verb [not in passive] informal
   to steal something and take it away with you:
   • Thieves broke into the school and made off with computer equipment worth £40,000.
make out phrasal verb
  1. SEE/HEAR make something ↔ out to be just able to see or hear something:
   • He could just make out a dark shape moving towards him.
  make out who/what etc
   • I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
  2. UNDERSTAND SOMETHING make something ↔ out to understand something, especially the reason why something has happened
  make out what/how/why etc
   • I couldn’t make out what I had done to annoy her.
   • As far as I can make out, he has never been married.
  3. UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY make somebody ↔ out [usually in questions and negatives] to understand someone’s character and the way they behave:
   • Stuart’s a strange guy – I can’t make him out at all.
  4. WRITE CHEQUE ETC make something ↔ out 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.
  make something ↔ out to
   • Make the cheque out to ‘Grays Ltd’.
  5. SAY/PRETEND make somebody/something ↔ out to say that something is true when it is not:
   • The situation was never as bad as the media made out.
  make out (that)
   • She always tried to make out that I was wrong and she was right.
  make somebody/something out to be something
   • He makes me out to be some sort of idiot.
  6. make out a case (for something) to find good reasons that prove something or show why you need something:
   • We made out a case for hiring another assistant.
  7. SUCCEED especially American English to succeed or progress in a particular way SYN get on:
   • How did you make out this morning?
  8. SEX informal especially American English to kiss and touch someone in a sexual way
  9. make out like a bandit American English informal to get or win a lot of money:
   • The lawyers made out like bandits.
make something out of somebody/something phrasal verb
   to change a person or thing into something else:
   • The Olympics can make sporting heroes out of previously little-known athletes.
make something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
  1. especially British English to officially and legally give money or property to someone else SYN transfer
  make something/somebody ↔ over to
   • He made over the whole estate to his son.
  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.
   ⇨ makeover
make towards something phrasal verb British English formal
   to start moving towards something:
   • She made towards the door.
make up phrasal verb
  1. FORM/BE make up something [not in progressive] to combine together to form something SYN constitute:
   • Women make up only a small proportion of the prison population.
  be made up of something
   • The committee is made up of representatives from every state.
  2. PRETEND SOMETHING IS TRUE make something ↔ up to pretend that something is true in order to deceive someone:
   • I think they’re making the whole thing up. ⇨ made-up(1)
  3. INVENT make something ↔ up 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).
  4. PREPARE make something ↔ up 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?
  5. SB’S FACE make somebody ↔ up 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 make-up on your own face. Say that you put on (your) make-up. ⇨ made-up(2)
  6. NUMBER/AMOUNT make something ↔ up especially British English 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.
   • The company will be forced to pay $6 million to make up the difference.
  7. TIME/WORK make something ↔ up 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?
  8. FRIENDS (also make it up) informal to become friendly with someone again after you have had an argument
  make up with
   • Have you made up with Patty yet?
   • Oh come on! Why don’t you just kiss and make up?
  9. FROM CLOTH make something ↔ up to produce something from cloth by cutting and sewing:
   • The dress had been made up to her exact requirements.
  make something ↔ up into
   • I plan on making that material up into a dress. ⇨ make up your mind at mind1(3)
make up for something phrasal verb
  1. to make a bad situation better, or replace something that has been lost SYN compensate:
   • 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 good days more than make up for the bad ones.
  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.
  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.
  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.
   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.
make up to somebody phrasal verb
  1. make (it) up to somebody 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.
  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. be made up to captain/manager etc to be given a higher position in an organization SYN promote:
   • He was a security guard before he was made up to reception manager.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

make

make [make makes made making] verb, noun [meɪk] [meɪk]

see also made

verb (made, made [meɪd] ; [meɪd] )

CREATE

1. to create or prepare sth by combining materials or putting parts together

• ~ sth to make a table/dress/cake

• to make bread/cement/paper

• She makes her own clothes.

• made in France (= on a label)

• ~ sth (out) of sth What's your shirt made of?

• ~ sth from sth Wine is made from grapes.

• ~ sth into sth The grapes are made into wine.

• ~ sth for sb She made coffee for us all.

• ~ sb sth She made us all coffee.

2. ~ sth to write, create or prepare sth

• These regulations were made to protect children.

• My lawyer has been urging me to make a will.

• She has made (= directed or acted in) several movies.

A BED

3. ~ a bed to arrange a bed so that it is neat and ready for use

CAUSE TO APPEAR/HAPPEN/BECOME/DO

4. ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) to cause sth to appear as a result of breaking, tearing, hitting or removing material

• The stone made a dent in the roof of the car.

• The holes in the cloth were made by moths.

5. ~ sth to cause sth to exist, happen or be done

• to make a noise/mess/fuss

• She tried to make a good impression on the interviewer.

• I keep making the same mistakes.

6. ~ sb/sth/yourself + adj. to cause sb/sth to be or become sth

• The news made him very happy.

• She made her objections clear.

• He made it clear that he objected.

• The full story was never made public.

• Can you make yourself understood in Russian?

• She couldn't make herself heard above the noise of the traffic.

• The terrorists made it known that tourists would be targeted.

7. ~ sb/sth do sth to cause sb/sth to do sth

• She always makes me laugh.

• This dress makes me look fat.

• What makes you say that (= why do you think so)?

• Nothing will make me change my mind.

8. to cause sb/sth to be or become sth

• ~ sth of sb/sth This isn't very important— I don't want to make an issue of it.

• Don't make a habit of it.

• You've made a terrible mess of this job.

• It's important to try and make something of (= achieve sth in) your life.

• We'll make a tennis player of you yet.

• ~ sth + noun I made painting the house my project for the summer.

• She made it her business to find out who was responsible.

A DECISION/GUESS/COMMENT, ETC.

9. ~ a decision, guess, comment, etc. to decide, guess, etc. sth

• Come on! It's time we made a start. Make can be used in this way with a number of different nouns. These expressions are included at the entry for each noun.

FORCE

10. to force sb to do sth

• ~ sb do sth They made me repeat the whole story.

• be made to do sth She must be made to comply with the rules.

• ~ sb He never cleans his room and his mother never tries to make him.

REPRESENT

11. to represent sb/sth as being or doing sth

• ~ sb/sth + adj. You've made my nose too big (= for example in a drawing).

• ~ sb/sth + noun He makes King Lear a truly tragic figure.

APPOINT

12. ~ sb + noun to elect or choose sb as sth

• She made him her assistant.

BE SUITABLE

13. linking verb ~ sb/sth + noun to become or develop into sth; to be suitable for sth

• She would have made an excellent teacher.

• This room would make a nice office.

EQUAL

14. linking verb + noun to add up to or equal sth

• 5 and 7 make 12.

• A hundred cents make one euro.

15. linking verb + noun to be a total of sth

• That makes the third time he's failed his driving test!

MONEY

16. ~ sth to earn or gain money

• She makes $100 000 a year.

• to make a profit/loss

• We need to think of ways to make money.

• He made a fortune on the stock market.

• He makes a living as a stand-up comic.

CALCULATE

17. no passive ~ sth + noun to think or calculate sth to be sth

• What time do you make it?

• I make that exactly $50.

REACH

18. no passive ~ sth to manage to reach or go to a place or position

• Do you think we'll make Dover by 12?

• I'm sorry I couldn't make your party last night.

• He'll never make (= get a place in) the team.

• The story made (= appeared on) the front pages of the national newspapers.

• We just managed to make the deadline (= to finish sth in time).

STH SUCCESSFUL

19. ~ sth to cause sth to be a success

• Good wine can make a meal.

• The news really made my day.

Rem: Most idioms containing make are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example make merry is at merry.

Verb forms:

Word Origin:

Old English macian, of West Germanic origin, from a base meaning ‘fitting’; related to the verb match.

Thesaurus:

make verb

1. T

• Wine is made from grapes.

create • • produce • • manufacture • • build • • develop • • generate • • form • |especially spoken do •

Opp: destroy

make/create/produce/manufacture/build/develop/generate/form sth from/out of sth

make/develop/form sth into sth

make/create/produce/do a drawing/painting

Make or create? Make is a more general word and is used especially about physical things: you would usually make a table/dress/cake but create jobs/wealth. You can use create about sth physical to emphasize how original it is

• Try this new dish, created by our head chef.

2. T

• This cake is very easy to make.

cook • • bake • • brew • |especially written prepare • |especially spoken get • |especially AmE fix •

to make/cook/bake/prepare/get/fix sth for sb

to make/cook/bake/prepare/get/fix sb/yourself sth

to make/cook/prepare/get/fix breakfast/lunch/dinner

3. T

• Who made these unjust laws?

plan • • design • • formulate •

make/plan/design/formulate sth to do sth

make/formulate a plan/hypothesis

4. T

• The rock made a dent in the roof of the car.

cause • • create • • produce •

make/cause/create/produce a hole

5. T

• Nothing will make me change my mind.

lead • • prompt • • motivate • • provoke • • persuade • |formal induce • • predispose •

make sb do sth

lead/prompt/motivate/provoke/persuade/induce/predispose sb to do sth

6. T

• They made us work very hard.

force • • drive • |formal oblige • • compel • • impel •

be made/force sb/drive sb/be obliged/compel sb/impel sb to do sth

Make or force? Make is slightly more informal. It is usually a person who makes sb else do sth

• Mum made me eat all my cabbage.

Force often suggests threats, or a situation where there is no choice about what to do

• The hijackers forced the passengers to lie on the ground.

• The plane was forced to make an emergency landing.

7. T

• 50 and 450 make 500.

be • • equal • • add up to sth • • amount to sth • • number • • run to sth • |especially business total •

make/be/equal/add up to/amount to/number/run to/total 50/2 million/$250/75%, etc.

make/be/add up to/amount to/number/run to/total nearly/almost/about/approximately/over/more than sth

8. T

• She sold her foreign investments and made $75 000.

raise • • fetch • • bring (sb) in sth • |especially spoken get • |formal realize •

Opp: lose

make/raise/bring in money

make/raise/fetch/bring in/get/realize $199/£300 000

make/realize £1 000/$50 000 on a deal

Make, bring in sth or get? You can make money, a particular amount of money, or a profit or loss. You can bring in money or a particular amount of money. You can only get a particular amount of money:

• The garage sale made/brought in a lot more than we expected.

¤ The garage sale got a lot more than we expected.:

• The company is making a loss.

¤ The company is getting/bringing in a loss.

9. T

• She made a fortune on the stock market.

earn • • bring (sb) in sth • • net • • gross • |informal pull sth in • |formal profit • |sometimes disapproving pocket • |informal, sometimes disapproving rake sth in •

Opp: lose

make/earn/bring in/net/gross/pull in/pocket/rake in $100 000 a year

make/earn money/a living/a fortune

Make or earn? Earn emphasizes the work you have to do to get money. If the money comes as interest or profit, and the subject is a person, use make; if the subject is a business, use either word:

• The business made/earned the family £3 million last year.

¤ She earned a fortune on the stock market.

Language Bank:

proportion

Describing fractions and proportions

▪ According to this pie chart, a third of ▪ students' leisure time is spent watching TV.

One in five ▪ hours is/are spent socializing.

▪ Socializing accounts for ▪ / makes up ▪ / comprises ▪ about 20% of leisure time.

▪ Students spend twice as much ▪ time playing computer games as doing sport.

Three times as many ▪ hours are spent playing computer games as reading.

▪ The figure for playing computer games is three times higher than ▪ the figure for reading.

The largest proportion of ▪ time is spent playing computer games.

note at half

Synonyms at consist

Language Banks at expect, fall, illustrate, increase

Synonyms:

consist of sb/sth

comprise • make up sth • constitute • be composed of sb/sth

These words all mean to be formed from the things or people mentioned, or to be the parts that form sth.

consist of sb/sth • to be formed from the things, people or activities mentioned: ▪ Their diet consists largely of vegetables.

comprise • (rather formal) to be formed from the things or people mentioned: ▪ The collection comprises 327 paintings.

Comprise can also be used to refer to the parts or members of sth: ▪ Older people comprise a large proportion of those living in poverty. However, this is less frequent.

make up sth • (rather informal) to be the parts or people that form sth: ▪ Women make up 56% of the student numbers.

constitute • to be the parts or people that form sth: ▪ People under the age of 40 constitute the majority of the labour force.

be composed of sb/sth • (rather formal) to be formed from the things or people mentioned: ▪ Around 15% of our diet is composed of protein.

which word?

Consist of sb/sth is the most general of these words and the only one that can be used for activities with the -ing form of a verb: ▪ My work at that time just consisted of typing letters. The other main difference is between those verbs that take the whole as the subject and the parts as the object: ▪ The group consists of/comprises/is made up of/is composed of ten people. and those that take the parts as the subject and the whole as the object: ▪ Ten people make up/constitute/comprise the group. It is not correct to use ‘comprises of’ or ‘is composed by/from’.

Synonyms:

identify

know • recognize • name • make sb/sth out

These words all mean to be able to see or hear sb/sth and especially to be able to say who or what they are.

identify • to be able to say who or what sb/sth is: ▪ She was able to identify her attacker.

know • to be able to say who or what sth is when you see or hear it because you have seen or heard it before Know is used especially to talk about sounds that seem familiar and when sb recognizes the quality or opportunity that sb/sth represents: ▪ I couldn't see who was speaking, but I knew the voice. ◊ ▪ She knows a bargain when she sees one.

recognize • to know who sb is or what sth is when you see or hear them/it, because you have seen or heard them/it before: ▪ I recognized him as soon as he came in the room.

name • to say the name of sb/sth in order to show that you know who/what they are: ▪ The victim has not yet been named.

make sb/sth out • to manage to see or hear sb/sth that is not very clear: ▪ I could just make out a figure in the darkness.

to identify/know/recognize sb/sth by sth

to identify/recognize/name sb/sth as sb/sth

to identify/know/recognize/make out who/what/how…

to easily/barely/just identify/recognize/make out sb/sth

Synonyms:

make

do • create • develop • produce • generate • form

These words all mean to make sth from parts or materials, or to cause sth to exist or happen.

make • to create or prepare sth by combining materials or putting parts together; to cause sth to exist or happen: ▪ She makes her own clothes. ◊ ▪ She ▪ made a good impression ▪ on the interviewer.

do • (rather informal) to make or prepare sth, especially sth artistic or sth to eat: ▪ He did a beautiful drawing of a house. ◊ ▪ Who's doing the food for the party?

create • to make sth exist or happen, especially sth new that did not exist before: ▪ Scientists disagree about how the universe was created.

make or create?

Make is a more general word and is more often used for physical things: you would usually make a table/dress/cake but create jobs/wealth. You can use create for sth physical in order to emphasize how original or unusual the object is: ▪ Try this new dish, created by our head chef.

develop • (used especially in business contexts) to think of and produce a new product: ▪ to develop new software

produce • to make things to be sold; to create sth using skill: ▪ a factory that produces microchips

generate • to produce or create sth, especially power, money or ideas: ▪ to generate electricity ◊ ▪ Brainstorming is a good way of generating ideas.

form • [often passive] to make sth from sth else; to make sth into sth else: ▪ Rearrange the letters to form a new word. ◊ ▪ The chain is formed from 136 links.

to make/create/develop/produce/generate/form sth from/out of sth

to make/form sth into sth

to make/produce wine

to create/develop a new product

to create/produce/generate income/profits/wealth

to produce/generate electricity/heat/power

Vocabulary Building:

Household jobs: do or make?

To talk about jobs in the home you can use such phrases as wash the dishes, clean the kitchen floor, set the table, etc. In conversation the verb do is often used instead: ▪ Let me do the dishes. ◊ ▪ Michael said he would do the kitchen floor. ◊ ▪ It’s your turn to do the table. Do is often used with nouns ending -ing: ▪ to do the shopping/cleaning/ironing/vacuuming.

The verb make is used especially in the phrase make the beds and when you are talking about preparing or cooking food: ▪ He makes a great lasagne. ◊ ▪ I’ll make breakfast while you’re having a shower. You can also say get, get ready and, especially in NAmE, fix for preparing meals: ▪ Can you get dinner while I put the kids to bed? ◊ ▪ Sit down — I’ll fix supper for you.

Example Bank:

• A movie with big name stars in it should make money.

• Bob made the airport in less than forty minutes.

• Did they make any money out of their invention?

• He has made several movies.

• He makes the most delicious cakes.

• He'll never make the team.

• His snoring was so bad, she made him sleep on the sofa downstairs.

• How do you make that dish with the peppers and olives in it?

• I'm sorry I didn't make the party last night.

• It is possible to make a hypothesis on the basis of this graph.

• Mum makes us eat lots of vegetables.

• Politeness made her go back to see him.

• She made a fortune on the stock market.

• She sold her foreign investments last month and made $75 000.

• Smokers are often made to feel like social outcasts.

• The climber was the first woman to make the summit.

• The company is making a loss on its children's range.

• The plane was forced to make an emergency landing because of bad weather.

• The rock made a dent in the roof of the car.

• The story made the front pages of the national newspapers.

• There's money to be made from tourism.

• This does serve to make you question some fundamentals.

• We need to think of new ways to make money from our existing products.

• We were made to work very hard.

• What he said certainly made us all think.

• What made you go down to the beach so late last night?

• What made you think he was guilty?

• What makes you say that?

• What's your shirt made of?

• You won't make much money as a shop assistant.

• to be forced/made to do sth

Idioms: make as if to do something ▪ make do ▪ make good ▪ make it ▪ make it with somebody ▪ make like … ▪ make much of somebody ▪ make or break somebody ▪ make something good ▪ make something of yourself ▪ make the most of somebody ▪ on the make

Derived: make for something ▪ make off ▪ make off with something ▪ make out ▪ make somebody into somebody ▪ make somebody out ▪ make something of somebody ▪ make something out ▪ make something over ▪ make something up ▪ make towards something ▪ make up ▪ make up for something ▪ make up to somebody ▪ make yourself up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

make

make (PERFECT) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made INFORMAL
to cause to be perfect:
Those little bows round the neck really make the dress!

make (ARRIVE) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made INFORMAL
to arrive at or reach, especially successfully:
She made it to the airport just in time to catch her plane.
He made it to the bed and then collapsed.
Could you make a meeting at 8 am?/Could you make 8 am for the meeting?

make (EARN/GET) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made
to earn or get:
She makes $100 000 a year as a doctor.
How do you make a living as a painter?
The company has made huge profits/losses.
He's very good at making new friends.

make (CALCULATE) /meɪk/
verb [T + object + noun] made, made
to calculate as:
How much do you make the total?
I make the answer (to be) 105.6.
What do you make the time?/What time do you make it?

make (TOTAL) /meɪk/
verb [L only + noun; T] made, made
to produce a total when added together:
12 and 12 make 24.
Today's earthquake makes five since the beginning of the year.
[+ object + noun] I've got 29 different teapots in my collection - if I buy this one that'll make it 30.

make (BE OR BECOME) /meɪk/
verb [L only + noun] made, made
1 to be or become something, usually by having the necessary characteristics:
I don't think he will ever make a (good) lawyer.
He's a competent enough officer, but I doubt he'll ever make general.
It's a story that would make a great film.
She decided the back room would make a good study.
Champagne and caviar make a wonderful combination.
The story makes fascinating reading.

2 If people or things make a particular pattern, they are arranged in that way:
Let's make a circle.
Those seven bright stars make the shape of a saucepan.

make (FORCE) /meɪk/
verb
1 make sb do sth to force someone or something to do something:
You can't make him go if he doesn't want to.
The vet put something down the dog's throat to make it vomit.

2 be made to do sth to be forced to do something:
The prisoners are made to dig holes and fill them in again.

make (PERFORM) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made
1 to perform an action:
I must make a telephone call.
Somebody has made a donation of £1 million to Oxfam.
I need to make a trip to the shops.
On foot they could only make about 20 miles a day.
We must make a decision by tomorrow.
You're not making any effort.
Someone has made a mistake/an error.
We're making good progress.
She has made a request for a new car.
We made an offer of £150 000 for the house.
She made a short speech.
Shall we make a start on the work?
Can I make a suggestion?
We made good time getting across town.
There's a drunk at the door making trouble.

2 make room/space/way If you make room/space/way for something or someone, you move or move other things, so that there is space for them.

make (CAUSE TO BE) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made
to cause to be, to become or to appear as:
[+ noun] It's the good weather that makes Spain such a popular tourist destination.
[R + past participle] She had to shout to make herself heard above the sound of the music.
I can make myself understood in French, but I'm not fluent.
They went up to the Ambassador and made themselves known (to her).
[+ adjective] The company accounts have not yet been made public.
The book's advertised as "navigation made easy".
The President has made Lloyd Bentsen his Secretary of the Treasury.
I'll have a steak - no, make that chicken.

make (CAUSE) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made
to cause something:
The kids made such a mess in the kitchen.
The bullet made a hole right through his chest.
[+ infinitive without to] The wind is making my eyes water.
What made you change your mind?
Just seeing Woody Allen's face is enough to make me laugh.
The photograph makes me look about 80!

make (PRODUCE) /meɪk/
verb [T] made, made
1 to produce something, often using a particular substance or material:
Shall I make some coffee?
He'd made a chocolate cake.
She makes all her own clothes.
[+ two objects] He made us some coffee./He made some coffee for us.
The pot is made to withstand high temperatures.
He works for a company that makes garden furniture.
The label on the box said 'made in Taiwan'.
Butter is made out of/from milk.
earrings made of gold
Her new trainer has promised to make an olympic athlete of her.

2 To make a film or television programme is to direct, produce it, or act in it:
John Huston made some great films.
The film was made by Goldcrest Productions.
So why didn't Garbo make any films after 1941?

make-or-break /ˌmeɪk.ɔːˈbreɪk/ US /-ɔːr-/
adjective
describes a situation that will bring great success or complete failure

make /meɪk/
noun [C]
a type of product or the name of the company which made it:
What make is your stereo?

maker /ˈmeɪ.kəʳ/ US /-kɚ/
noun [C]
1 the people or company that make something:
They're the biggest maker of fast-food products in the UK.
The makers of the film will want to see a decent return on their investment.
See also bookmaker; holidaymaker; homemaker; icemaker; kingmaker; matchmaker; pacemaker (RUNNER); pacemaker (DEVICE); peacemaker; troublemaker.

2 your Maker God:
HUMOROUS He's gone to meet his Maker (= He has died).

-maker/-meɪ.kəʳ/ US /-kɚ/
suffix
a person or machine which makes the stated thing:
a film-maker
a dressmaker
a watchmaker
car-makers
policy-makers
a coffee/tea-maker
an ice-maker

making /ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/
noun [U]
the activity or process of producing something:
the art of film making
There's an article on the making of the series.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

make

I [me͟ɪk]CARRYING OUT AN ACTION
♦
makes, making, made
(Make is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression `to make sense' is explained at `sense'.)
1) VERB You can use make with a wide range of nouns to indicate that someone performs an action or says something. For example, if you make a suggestion, you suggest something.
  [V n] I'd just like to make a comment...
  [V n] I made a few phone calls...
  [V n] I think you're making a serious mistake...
  [V n] The Pope said the world had made some progress towards peace in 1991...
  [V n] Science and technology have made major changes to the way we live...
  [V n n] She had made us an offer too good to refuse.
2) VERB You can use make with certain nouns to indicate that someone does something well or badly. For example, if you make a success of something, you do it successfully, and if you make a mess of something, you do it very badly.
  [V n of n] Apparently he made a mess of his audition...
  [V n of n] Are you really going to make a better job of it this time?
3) VERB If you make as if to do something or make to do something, you behave in a way that makes it seem that you are just about to do it. [WRITTEN]
  [V as if to-inf] Mary made as if to protest, then hesitated...
  [V to-inf] He made to chase Davey, who ran back laughing.
4) VERB In cricket, if a player makes a particular number of runs, they score that number of runs. In baseball or American football, if a player makes a particular score, they achieve that score.
  [V amount] He made 1,972 runs for the county.
  Syn:
  score
5) PHRASE: make inflects, oft PHR with n If you make do with something, you use or have it instead of something else that you do not have, although it is not as good.
  Why make do with a copy if you can afford the genuine article?...
  We're a bit low on bed linen. You'll have to make do.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR cl, PHR n If you make like you are doing something, you act as if you are doing it, and if you make like someone, you act as if you are that person. [INFORMAL]
  Bob makes like he's a fish blowing bubbles.II [me͟ɪk]CAUSING OR CHANGING
♦
makes, making, made
(Please look at category 10 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If something makes you do something, it causes you to do it.
  [V n inf] Grit from the highway made him cough...
  [V n inf] The white tips of his shirt collar made him look like a choirboy...
  [be V-ed to-inf] I was made to feel guilty and irresponsible.
2) VERB If you make someone do something, you force them to do it.
  [V n inf] Mama made him clean up the plate...
  [V n inf] You can't make me do anything...
  [be V-ed to-inf] They were made to pay $8.8 million in taxes and $300,000 in penalty taxes.
3) VERB You use make to talk about causing someone or something to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality. For example, to make someone a star means to cause them to become a star, and to make someone angry means to cause them to become angry.
  [V n n] ...James Bond, the role that made him a star...
  [V n n] He returned to Chicago, and made it his base for the rest of his life...
  [V n adj] She made life very difficult for me...
  [V it adj that] She's made it obvious that she's appalled by me...
  [V it adj to-inf] Rationing has made it easier to find some products like eggs, butter and meat...
  [V n of n] Does your film make a hero of Jim Garrison?
4) VERB If you say that one thing or person makes another seem, for example, small, stupid, or good, you mean that they cause them to seem small, stupid, or good in comparison, even though they are not.
  [V n inf adj/prep/n] They live in fantasy worlds which make Euro Disney seem uninventive...
  [V n inf adj/prep/n] Since he came to live with me, we have been subject to a campaign of spite and revenge which makes Lady Sarah appear angelic by comparison.
5) VERB If you make yourself understood, heard, or known, you succeed in getting people to understand you, hear you, or know that you are there.
  [V pron-refl -ed] Aron couldn't speak Polish. I made myself understood with difficulty...
  [V pron-refl -ed] He almost had to shout to make himself heard above the music.
6) VERB If you make someone something, you appoint them to a particular job, role, or position.
  [V n n] Mr Blair made him transport minister...
  [V n n] If I am made chairman, I hope Simon will stay on as my trusted lieutenant.
7) VERB If you make something into something else, you change it in some way so that it becomes that other thing.
  [V n into n] We made it into a beautiful home...
  [V n into n] Her bestseller `Peachtree Road' is soon to be made into a television mini-series.
8) VERB To make a total or score a particular amount means to increase it to that amount.
  [V n amount] This makes the total cost of the bulb and energy ₤27...
  [V n amount] Lupescu scored from 20 yards and then Balint made it 4-0.
9) VERB When someone makes a friend or an enemy, someone becomes their friend or their enemy, often because of a particular thing they have done.
  [V n] Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily...
  [V n of n] He was unruly in class and made an enemy of most of his teachers.
10) to make friends → see friendIII [me͟ɪk]CREATING OR PRODUCING
♦
makes, making, made
1) VERB To make something means to produce, construct, or create it.
  [V n] She made her own bread...
  [V n] Nissan now makes cars at two plants in Europe...
  [have n V-ed] Having curtains made professionally can be costly...
  [V n from/out of n] They make compost out of all kinds of waste.
2) VERB If someone makes a film or television programme, they are involved in creating or producing it.
  [V n] We are making a film about wildlife.
  [V-ed] ...the film `Queen Christina', made in 1934.
3) VERB If you make a meal or a drink, you prepare it.
  [V n] You wash while I make some lunch...
  [V n n] Would you like me to make us all a coffee?
4) VERB If you make a note or list, you write something down in that form.
  [V n] Mr Perry made a note in his book...
  [V n] Make a list of your questions beforehand.
  Syn:
  write
5) VERB If you make rules or laws, you decide what these should be.
  [V n] The police don't make the laws, they merely enforce them...
  [V n] The only person who makes rules in this house is me.
6) VERB If you make money, you get it by working for it, by selling something, or by winning it.
  [V n] I think every business's goal is to make money...
  [V n] How much did we make?...
  [V n out of/from n] Can it be moral to make so much money out of a commodity which is essential to life?.
7) VERB If something makes something else, it is responsible for the success of that thing.
  [V n] What really makes the book are the beautiful designs.
8) N-COUNT: supp N, N of n The make of something such as a car or radio is the name of the company that made it.
  The only car parked outside is a black Saab - a different make.
  ...a certain make of wristwatch.
  Syn:
  brand
9) PHRASE: v-link PHR (disapproval) If you say that someone is on the make, you disapprove of them because they are trying to get a lot of money or power, possibly by illegal or immoral methods.IV [me͟ɪk]LINK VERB USES
♦
makes, making, made
1) V-LINK You can use make to say that someone or something has the right qualities for a particular task or role. For example, if you say that someone will make a good politician, you mean that they have the right qualities to be a good politician.
  [V n] She'll make a good actress, if she gets the right training...
  [V n] You've a very good idea there. It will make a good book...
  [V n] Instructors decided he would never make a pilot...
  [V n n] I'm very fond of Maurice and I'd make him a good wife.
2) V-LINK If people make a particular pattern such as a line or a circle, they arrange themselves in this way.
  [V n] A group of people made a circle around the Pentagon.
  Syn:
  form
3) V-LINK You can use make to say what two numbers add up to.
  [V amount] Four twos make eight...
  [V amount] He is adding three aircraft carriers - that makes six in all.V [me͟ɪk]ACHIEVING OR REACHING
♦
makes, making, made
1) VERB If someone makes a particular team or makes a particular high position, they do so well that they are put in that team or get that position.
  [V n] The athletes are just happy to make the British team...
  [V n] He knew he was never going to make director.
2) VERB If you make a place in or by a particular time, you get there in or by that time, often with some difficulty.
  [V n prep] The engine is gulping two tons of fuel an hour in order to make New Orleans by nightfall.
3) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR prep/adv If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something.
  So you did make it to America, after all.
  ...the hostages who never made it home...
  I just made it!
4) PHRASE: V inflects If you make it, you are successful in achieving something difficult, or in surviving through a very difficult period.
  I believe I have the talent to make it...
  You're brave and courageous. You can make it.
5) PHRASE: V inflects, usu with brd-neg, oft PHR to n If you cannot make it, you are unable to attend an event that you have been invited to.
  `I can't make it,' she said. `That's Mother's Day.'...
  He hadn't been able to make it to our dinner.VI [me͟ɪk]STATING AN AMOUNT OR TIME
♦
makes, making, made
1) VERB You use make it when saying what you calculate or guess an amount to be.
  [V it amount] All I want to know is how many T-shirts Jim Martin has got. I make it three...
  [V n amount] I make the total for the year ₤69,599.
2) VERB You use make it when saying what time your watch says it is.
  [V it n] I make it nearly 9.30...
  [V it n] `What time d'you make it?' - `Thirteen past.' [Also V n n]VII [me͟ɪk]PHRASAL VERBS
♦
makes, making, made
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - make for
  - make of
  - make off
  - make off with
  - make out
  - make over
  - make up
  - make up for
  - make up to

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹make /ˈmeɪk/ verb makes; made /ˈmeɪd/; mak·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to build, create, or produce (something) by work or effort
• make a box/chair/suit
• make someone a dress = make a dress for someone
• He works in a factory that makes jet engines.
• She made the curtains herself.
• He collected wood to make a fire.
• She used cheese and a mixture of other ingredients to make a delicious sauce.
- often followed by with to describe the things that are used to produce something
• She made the sauce with cheese and other ingredients.
- often followed by of to describe the material that forms something
• The box is made of wood. [=it is a wood/wooden box; the material used to produce the box was wood]
• The topping is made entirely of cheese. [=the topping consists entirely of cheese]
- often followed by from to describe the source of a product
• Cheese is made from milk.
b : to use (something) to create a product - + into
• She made the material into a dress.
• She made a mixture of ingredients into a delicious sauce.
2 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to exist, happen, or appear
• Someone was making a disturbance.
• The car's engine has been making a strange noise lately.
• The rock made a dent in the car's fender.
• I'm not trying to make trouble.
• The typist made a mistake.
• I called the doctor's office to make an appointment.
• They moved over and made room for her.
• I want to make a good home for my children.
3 [+ obj] : to create or write (something) in an official or legal way
• The government should make laws to protect poor people.
• I don't make the rules; I just follow them.
• You should make a will.
4 [+ obj] : to produce, direct, or act in (something, such as a movie)
• a director who has made some classic films
• That actor has made many films.
5 [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) to be changed in a specified way
• They adapted a Russian play and made the setting Dublin rather than Moscow.
• We originally planned on a one-week vacation, but we decided to make it two weeks instead.
• The experience made him a cynic. = The experience made a cynic (out) of him. = The experience made [=changed, turned] him into a cynic.
• I'd like a hamburger. No, wait—make that a cheeseburger.
6 [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) to have a specified quality, feeling, etc.
• A good teacher makes learning enjoyable.
• She made what she wanted clear to us. = She made (it) clear to us what she wanted. [=she said or showed clearly what she wanted]
• He made it understood/known that he expected us to help.
• The experience made him cynical.
• Working in the garden makes me very tired.
• It makes me sad to think that the summer is ending.
• The photograph makes me seem/look fat.
✦To make yourself useful means to do something useful.
• Why don't you make yourself useful by washing the dishes?
✦To make yourself heard/understood (etc.) means to do what is necessary to be sure that people hear you, understand you, etc.
• The music was so loud that she could hardly make herself heard.
• She doesn't speak French well, but she can make herself understood.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to be or become something
• A good teacher makes learning a pleasure. = A good teacher makes it a pleasure to learn.
• Yes, you can leave work early today, but don't make it a habit.
• The bright paint really makes the room come alive!
8 [+ obj]
a : to cause (someone) to do something
• He yelled at her and made her cry.
• How can I make you understand that I love you?!
b : to force (someone) to do something
• We have to find a way to make them work faster.
• They made me wait for an hour.
• If he doesn't want to do it, we can't make him (do it).
• They used threats to make her do it. = She was made to do it by the use of threats.
9 [+ obj] : to give a particular job, title, status, etc., to (someone)
• They made him (the) Emperor.
• They made her a member of their club. = She was made a member of their club.
10 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular action)
• He made a bow. [=he bowed]
• We made [=took] a detour to avoid traffic.
• They made [=got] an early start. [=they started early]
• I have to make a (telephone) call to my boss. [=I have to call/telephone my boss]
• May I make a suggestion? [=may I suggest something?]
• “Make love, not war!” shouted the demonstrators.
• I'm not used to making [=giving] speeches.
• They made a bet [=they bet] that she would win.
• Don't make any sudden movements.
• They made a contribution. [=they contributed]
• We should make a distinction between them.
• She made a promise to him. = She made him a promise.
• He made note of her address.
• Time is running out. You'll have to make a decision soon.
11 [+ obj] : to form (a plan) in your mind
• Have you made any plans for your vacation?
12 [+ obj] : to arrange the blankets and sheets on (a bed) so that the mattress is covered
• She always makes the bed after she gets up in the morning.
13 [+ obj] : to prepare (food or drink)
• Let me make dinner for you. = Let me make you dinner.
• Can I make you a drink?
• I'll make the pasta if you make the salad.
• She made a cake for her daughter's birthday.
14 a [linking verb]
- used to indicate a total
• That makes the third time you've said the same thing!
• I've lost again! That makes $3 I owe you.
• “I'm hungry.” “That makes two of us.” [=I'm hungry too]
b [+ obj] : to be equal to (an amount)
• Three plus two make/makes [=equals, totals] five.
c [+ obj] : to calculate (an amount, total, etc.)
• “What do you make the time?” [=what do you think the time is?] “(I make it) About half past three.”
• I make the distance back to camp about four miles. = I make it about four miles back to camp.
15 a [+ obj] : to be used to produce (something)
• Rags make the best paper.
b [linking verb] : to be suited for use as (something)
• This new building would make [=be] a fine school.
c [linking verb] : to be or become (something)
• She and her boyfriend make [=are] a lovely couple.
• She will make a fine judge one day.
• She made [=was] a loving wife to him. = She made him a loving wife.
16 [+ obj] : to arrive at (a place)
• The ship made port today.
17 [+ obj] : to earn or gain (money, a profit, etc.)
• He makes $50,000 a year.
• She makes a good salary.
• Their products are so inexpensive I don't know how they make a profit.
• She made $100 on the deal. = The deal made $100 for her. = The deal made her $100.
• He makes a/his living by doing small jobs.
• He made a/his fortune in the stock market.
18 [+ obj]
a : to be accepted as a member of (a group, team, etc.)
• She's finally made the team.
b : to appear on or in (a newspaper, a headline, etc.)
• The story of his accident made the front page of the paper.
• The story made headlines all across the country.
c chiefly US : to be promoted to (a level or rank)
• My uncle is in the army. He made major last year.
19 [+ obj] sports
a : to succeed in doing (something that you attempt)
• I missed the first foul shot but made the second one.
• He has to make this putt to win the tournament.
- opposite miss
b : to produce (a particular score)
• She made a 6 on the second hole.
• He made a birdie/bogey.
20 [+ obj]
a : to not be too late for (something)
• They (just/barely) made the deadline.
• We got to the station just in time to make the train.
- opposite miss
b : to reach or go to (a place)
• We made [=reached] Atlanta in just under two hours.
c : to succeed in reaching or going to (something)
• The team made [=qualified for] the play-offs last year.
• I don't know if I'll be able to make that meeting.
- opposite miss
21 [+ obj] : to act in a way that causes someone to be your friend, enemy, etc.
• She makes friends easily.
• He made a few enemies when he worked here.
22 [+ obj] : to cause the success of (someone or something)
• This film could make or break her career. [=the success or failure of her career could depend on the success or failure of this film]
- see also make-or-break
23 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to be enjoyable, attractive, etc.
• The bright paint really makes the room!
• Meeting the star of the show really made our day!
24 [no obj] old-fashioned + literary : to seem to begin an action
• She made to go. = She made as if to go. [=she moved in a way that suggested she was going]
make a face
- see ¹face
make away with [phrasal verb] make away with (something) literary : to steal and take away (something)
• Someone had made away with [=made off with] all the money.
make believe
- see believe
make do : to proceed or do what you can with the things that you have even though you do not have what you want
• They didn't have much money but they somehow managed to make do.
- often + with
• If we can't get what we want, we'll just have to make do with what we've got.
- often + without
• If we don't have carrots for the soup, we'll just have to make do without them.
make eyes at
- see ¹eye
make for [phrasal verb] make for (something)
1 : to go toward (a place) quickly
• Everyone made for [=headed for] the exit as soon as the show was over.
• After he left the office he made straight for home.
2 : to cause (something) to happen or to be more likely
• Courtesy makes for safer driving.
make friends
- see friend
make it
1 : to reach a particular place, goal, etc.
• The ship made it to port.
• You'll never make it that far.
• The climbers finally made it to the top of the mountain.
• Welcome to the party. I'm glad you could make it! = Welcome! I'm glad you could make it to the party!
• The story made it to the front page. [=the story appeared on the front page]
• She's finally made it onto the team. [=she finally was accepted on the team]
• If we hurry, we can still make it home before dark.
2 : to not fail, die, etc. : survive
• Many new businesses don't make it through their first year.
• He's very sick. The doctor doesn't think he's going to make it.
3 : to become successful
• It's tough to succeed in this business, but if you work hard I know you'll make it eventually.
• He made it big [=became very successful] in real estate.
4 chiefly US informal : to have sex
• His girlfriend caught him making it with another girl.
make like US informal
1 : to pretend to be (someone or something)
• He made like a rooster and strutted across the stage.
2 : to act in a way that does not show your true feelings
• He made like [=acted like] he didn't care.
make love
- see ¹love
make merry
- see merry
make much of : to treat (something) as very important
• In talking about his past, the book makes much of the influence of his brother. [=the book says that his brother's influence was very important]
• She tends to make far too much of her problems.
• You shouldn't make too much of what he said—he was only joking.
make nice
- see nice
make of [phrasal verb]
1 make (something) of (something or someone) : to have or form an opinion about (something or someone)
• What do you make of this? [=what is your opinion about this?]
• I can't make anything of it at all.
• I don't know what to make of her behavior. [=I don't understand her behavior]
• He's a strange guy. I don't know quite what to make of him.
2 make (a day, night, etc.) of it : to continue with an enjoyable activity during all of (a day, night, etc.)
• Since we're going out to dinner anyway, let's make an evening of it and go to a movie afterward.
3 make something of (yourself or your life) : to become successful
• She has worked very hard to make something of herself.
• He wants to make something of his life. [=to have a successful and productive life]
4 make something of it informal : to treat something as a reason for arguing or being angry - used in speech as an angry way of telling someone that you are prepared to fight or argue about something
• Yes, I got home late last night. Do you want to make something of it? [=do you want to argue/fight about it?]
- see also make much of (above)
make off [phrasal verb]
1 chiefly Brit : to leave quickly especially in order to escape
• After taking the money, the thieves made off toward the main highway.
2 make off with (something) : to take or steal (something) and go away
• Someone broke into the office and made off with some valuable equipment.
make out [phrasal verb]
1 make (something) out or make out (something) : to write down the required information on (something, such as a check)
• He made out a check for $100 to cover the cost of the repairs.
• make out [=fill out] a form
• The doctor will make out a prescription for you. = The doctor will make you out a prescription.
• She made out a shopping list before going to the grocery store.
2 make (something) out or make out (something)
a : to see and identify (something)
• We could just make out a ship approaching through the fog.
b : to hear and understand (something)
• I couldn't quite make out what she said.
c : to learn or understand (something) by studying, searching, etc.
• I can't quite make out [=tell] whether he's drunk or sober.
• We're still trying to make out [=find out, figure out] what really happened.
3 make (someone) out informal : to understand the behavior of (someone) - used in negative statements
• I just can't make him out [=figure him out]—he's so contradictory.
4 make (someone or something) out : to describe (someone or something) in a specified and usually false way
• The book makes them out to be criminals.
• Don't make them out as worse than they are.
• He's not as bad as he's made out (to be). = He's not as bad as people make him out (to be).
5 informal
- used to ask about or describe the success or progress of someone or something
• “How are you making out [=doing, getting along] in your new job?” “Just fine, thank you!”
• “How did the team make out yesterday?” “They won.”
• (US) He made out like a bandit [=he made a lot of money] when he sold the company.
6 chiefly US informal : to kiss and touch for a long time in a sexual way
• She was making out [=(old-fashioned) necking] with her boyfriend.
make over [phrasal verb]
1 make (something or someone) over or make over (something or someone) : to change the appearance of (something or someone)
• We made the whole house over so it looked more modern.
- see also makeover
2 make (something) over or make over (something) : to give (property) to another person in an official or legal way
• He made the ranch/shares over to his eldest son.
make up [phrasal verb]
1 make (something) up or make up (something) : to create or invent (a story, a lie, etc.)
• He entertained the children by making up a funny story about a cat that lived on a sailboat.
• He made up some excuse about having problems with his car, but no one believed him.
• It never happened: you made it all up!
• He didn't have a prepared speech. He just made it up as he went along.
- see also made-up
2 make (something) up or make up (something)
a : to combine to produce (something)
• Ten chapters make up this volume. = This volume is made up [=composed] of 10 chapters.
b : to produce or create (something) by putting together different parts
• They're going to make up a list of requirements for us. = They're going to make us up a list of requirements.
c : to prepare (something) so that it is ready to be used
• I'll make up a bed for you. = I'll make you up a bed. [=I'll prepare a bed for you to sleep in]
d Brit : to supply (something) according to directions
• make up [=(US) fill] a prescription
3 make (something) up or make up (something) : to provide an amount of time, money, etc., that is needed
• The total cost of the repairs is $200. If you can pay half of that, I'll make up the rest.
• I'll make up the difference.
• I have to leave work early today, but I'll make up the time by working late tomorrow.
4 make up (someone or something) or make (someone or something) up
a : to put makeup on (someone or someone's face)
• She made herself up for the party.
• Her face was heavily made up. [=there was a lot of makeup on her face]
- see also made-up
b : to change the appearance of (someone or something) by using costumes, decorations, etc.
• The actor was made up to look like George Washington.
• The room was made up to look like a disco.
5 informal : to become friendly again after being angry
• They quarreled but later made up (with each other).
• He made up with his girlfriend.
• (chiefly Brit) She's trying to make it up with him.
6 make up for (something) : to do or have something as a way of correcting or improving (something else)
• He wanted to make up for [=atone for] neglecting his children by spending more time with them.
• She tried to make up for lost time by working extra hard.
• What the movie lacks in plot it makes up for in special effects.
7 make up to (someone) Brit informal + disapproving : to treat (someone) in a very friendly or helpful way in order to get something for yourself
• an employee who's always making up to [=(US, informal) sucking up to] the boss
8 make it up to (someone) : to do something helpful or good for (someone you have hurt or treated wrongly)
• He'd neglected his children and wanted to make it up to them by spending more time with them.