# make

/ˈmeɪk/ (US) · /mˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/make
Updated: 2026-06-15

## Senses

### 1. to create or produce

verb · CEFR A1

to create, build, or produce something.

For teachers: to bring something into existence by shaping material or combining parts.

- He decided to make a chocolate cake for his sister's birthday party.
- The artisan spent weeks learning how to make traditional pottery using local clay and ancient firing techniques.

### 2. to force or cause

verb · CEFR A2

to force someone to do something, or to cause a specific result.

For teachers: to compel an action or cause a change in state; often used as a causative verb followed by a bare infinitive.

- The sad movie always makes me cry, no matter how many times I see it.
- The sudden change in regulations made it impossible for the company to continue its operations without significant restructuring.

Usage: In the active voice, 'make' is followed by an object and a bare infinitive (without 'to').

### 3. to earn money

verb · CEFR A2

to earn money from a job or an investment.

For teachers: to gain or acquire money through work, business, or investment.

- She hopes to make a lot of money after she finishes her medical degree.
- Despite the economic downturn, the startup managed to make a modest profit in its first year of operation.

### 4. to reach a place

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to arrive at a place or attend an event, especially when it is difficult.

For teachers: to succeed in reaching a destination or attending a scheduled event.

- I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it to your party on Friday.
- The hikers barely managed to make the summit before the heavy fog rolled in and obscured the trail.

### 5. to constitute or equal

verb · CEFR B2

to add up to a total or to be the parts that form a whole.

For teachers: to serve as the components of a whole or to result in a specific sum.

- Two and two make four.
- These talented musicians make a great team when they perform together on stage.

### 6. to move toward

verb · CEFR B2

to move quickly in a certain direction.

For teachers: to proceed or move toward a specific destination, often with haste.

- As soon as the rain started, everyone made for the nearest shelter.
- The fox spotted the hound and immediately made for the safety of the thick brush.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'for'.

### 7. brand or manufacturer

noun · CEFR B1

the brand of a product or the company that manufactured it.

For teachers: the brand, type, or origin of a manufactured product.

- What make of car do you drive?
- The mechanic asked for the make and model of the appliance before ordering the replacement parts.

### 8. police identification

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

the act of identifying a person, usually by the police.

For teachers: a positive identification of a person or object, typically within a law enforcement context.

- The officer got a make on the suspect using the security camera footage.
- After running the fingerprints through the national database, the detectives finally got a make on the unidentified victim.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.