make [1] (makes 3rd person present) (making present participle) (made past tense & past participle ) (CARRYING OUT AN ACTION)
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.
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
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.
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? V n of n
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 Mary made as if to protest, then hesitated... V as if to-inf
He made to chase Davey, who ran back laughing. V to-inf
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.
(=score)
He made 1,972 runs for the county. V amount
5 If you make dowith something, you use or have it instead of something else that you do not have, although it is not as good.
to make do phrase make inflects, oft PHR with n
Why make do with a copy if you can afford the genuine article?...
6 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
to make like sth/sb phrase V inflects, PHR cl, PHR n
Bob makes like he's a fish blowing bubbles.
