make out

Verb

make out (third-person singular simple present makes out, present participle making out, simple past and past participle made out)

1. (transitive) To draw up (a document etc.), to designate (a cheque).
   • Cheques may be made out to the Foo Bar Company.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To send out.
   • The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job I:17

   Synonyms:

   detect, spot, squeeze, neck, grope, touch up, make whoopee

3. (transitive) To discern; to manage to see, hear etc.
   • In the distance, I could just make out a shadowy figure.
   • Though nothing of the vault except the roof was visible from where I lay, and so I could not see these visitors, yet I heard every word spoken, and soon made out one voice as being Master Ratsey's.[1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   descry

4. (US, intransitive, regional) To manage, get along; to do (well, badly etc.).
   • Oh, you were on a TV game show? How did you make out?
   • Regarding money—I shall economize and make out probably very well from now on—without any outside help.1931 June 5, Hart Crane, Letters of Hart Crane and his family, New York: Columbia University Press, published 1974, →OCLC, To Clarence Arthur Crane, page 645, paragraph 2

   Synonyms:

   make do

5. (ambitransitive) To represent; to make (something) appear to be true.
   • His version of the story makes me out (to be) the bad guy.
   • She hadn't invited me to a party at her house since the third grade, and here she was, making out like we'd never stopped being friends.2002, Meg Cabot, All-American Girl, 2003 paperback edition, New York: Harper Trophy, →ISBN, page 134
6. (US, intransitive, slang) To get along with (someone).
   • Him and I always make out well.
7. (US, intransitive, slang) To make an (often temporary) home.
   • I'll make out in this room for the night.
8. (US, intransitive, slang) To embrace and kiss passionately.
   • We found a secluded spot where we could make out in private.

   Synonyms:

   neck, buss, goozer, kiss, lallygag, lips, lock lips, osculate, pash, play tonsil hockey

9. (US, intransitive, nonstandard, rare, slang) To engage in heavy petting or sexual intercourse.

   Synonyms:

   cop a feel, make it