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make out of

A2 neutral inseparable transitive

To create or construct something using a particular material or set of available resources.

In plain English

Build or create something by using another thing as the material.

What does "make out of" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

To create or build something using a particular material.

"The children made a robot out of cardboard boxes and tin foil."

You can make a meal out of almost anything if you know what you're doing.

— Nigella Lawson, How to Eat, 1998
inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To treat or exaggerate something beyond its actual importance (often 'make a big deal out of').

"Don't make a drama out of a small misunderstanding."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To produce something by taking it out of a source material — the literal meaning is very close to the idiomatic meaning.

Actually means

Build or create something by using another thing as the material.

Usage tip

Often conveys resourcefulness or improvisation. Very natural in everyday speech and easy for learners to use productively.

Words that pair with "make out of"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

cardboard wood nothing scraps recycled materials clay

How to conjugate "make out of"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
make out of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
makes out of
he/she/it
Past simple
made out of
yesterday
Past participle
made out of
have + pp
-ing form
making out of
continuous

Hear "make out of" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "make out of" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "make out of"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

build from construct from craft from create from fashion from

Keep exploring

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