Making

'meɪkɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To create or produce something, often from other materials or ingredients.

'meɪkɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

Creating or producing something.

She is making dinner.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building something with blocks. 'Making' is like putting all the pieces together to create a whole new thing! You are **making** a tower.

👶 For kids: To make means to build or create something new. Like when you make a drawing!

More Examples

2

The company is making a new product.

3

He is making a lot of money.

4

They are making preparations for the event.

How It's Used

General

"Making a cake."

Business

"Making a profit."

2

To cause something to happen or to be in a particular state.

'meɪkɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

Causing something to happen.

Making friends takes time.

💡 Simply: When you decide to do something, like deciding what to watch on TV, you're **making** a choice. It causes a result!

👶 For kids: To make something happen! Like making a noise or making a mess!

More Examples

2

She is making a difference in the world.

3

He is making a suggestion.

4

They are making arrangements for the trip.

How It's Used

General

"Making a decision."

Social

"Making friends."

Tip:Think of MAKING a noise, MAKING a mess, MAKING a change. You cause it!
3

To earn or gain something, especially money or a living.

'meɪkɪŋ

verbneutralmedium
Action

Earning or gaining something.

He is making a good living.

💡 Simply: When you work and get paid, you are **making** money! Getting something you work for!

👶 For kids: To get or earn something. Like getting money for doing your chores!

More Examples

2

They are making a lot of money.

3

She is making a fortune.

4

The company is making a profit.

How It's Used

Business

"Making a profit."

Financial

"Making a salary."

Tip:Think of MAKING money or MAKING a living. It’s about earning!

Idioms & expressions

making do

To manage or get by with what is available, even if it's not ideal.

"We'll have to make do with what we have until we can buy more."

make it

To succeed or arrive in time.

"Did you make it to the meeting?"

making a scene

To behave in a loud or disruptive way in public.

"She started making a scene at the restaurant when they got her order wrong."

From Middle English maken, from Old English macian (“to make, build, construct, do, prepare”), from Proto-Germanic *makōną (“to make”), from Proto-Indo-European *mag- (“to knead, fashion, fit”).

The word 'making' has been used since Old English, representing actions of creation, construction, and causing something to happen. Its usage has evolved but remains central to describing actions and processes.

Memory tip

Imagine you're MAKING a delicious pizza: dough, sauce, cheese – all coming together!

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"to make, build, construct, do, prepare"

making a decisionmaking moneymaking friendsmaking an effortmaking progress

Common misspellings

mackingmaiking

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written