make out

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /meɪk aʊt/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /meɪk æɔt/, /meɪk æʊt/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /meɪk ʌʊt/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /meɪk ɘʉt/

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) to a given recipient, payee. [from 15th c.]

   Cheques may be made out to the Foo Bar Company.

2. (obsolete, transitive) To send out. [16th-17th c.]
   • 1611, Bible, Authorized Version, Job I:17:

     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.

3. (transitive) To discern; to manage to see, hear etc. [from 16th c.]

   In the distance, I could just make out a shadowy figure.

   • August 16 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Swansea upstage Manchester United in Louis van Gaal’s Premier League bow," guardian.co.uk:

     There was a startling lack of creativity and if Van Gaal had listened closely he would have made out the mocking chants from the away end, as the visiting fans embarked on the repertoire of songs that formed the soundtrack to David Moyes’s time in the job.

   • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4:

     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.

4. (now chiefly US, regional, intransitive) To manage, get along; to do (well, badly etc.). [from 17th c.]

   Oh, you were on a TV game show? How did you make out?

   • 1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids

     'Will this little shack serve – or do we go further?' I asked.
     'Oh, I guess we'll make out,' she said. And together we waded through the delicate cream carpet to explore.

5. (transitive, intransitive) To represent; to make (something) appear to be true. [from 17th c.]

   His version of the story makes me out to be the bad guy.

   • 2002, Meg Cabot, All-American Girl, 2003 Harper Trophy paperback edition, →ISBN, page 134:

     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.

6. (slang, chiefly US, intransitive) To embrace and kiss passionately. [from 20th c.]

   We found a secluded spot where we could make out in private.

7. (intransitive) To engage in heavy petting or sexual intercourse. [from 20th c.]
   • 2018 January 17 "Libra Woman: Personality Traits: Love & More", Astrology.com

     As long as she knows that she's completely free to do what she wants, she'll remain quite loyal to the commitment she made - especially if there's plenty of wiggle-room for the occasional flirtation. make out or friendly fling.

• (manage, get along): make do
• (to kiss passionately): smooch, neck

• (to succeed): make out like a bandit