What is make? Pronunciation and usage in English

make means . Learn how to pronounce and use make through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of make

makeverb

/meɪk/
Definition & pronunciation of make

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "make" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (American & British):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /meɪk/
  • How to say it: It's pronounced like "my" followed by "k".

Let's break it down further:

  1. "My": The initial sound is the same as the word "my." It's a short, open "uh" sound – almost like you’re saying “mew” but shorter.
  2. "K": The "k" sound is a standard hard "k" sound, like in “kite.”

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • "Mek": This is very common! It's incorrect. The "e" sound doesn’t belong there.
  • "Make" as in "lake": People sometimes pronounce it like "lake," but that's not the correct pronunciation.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Focus on the "my" sound: Really try to get that short, open "uh" sound at the beginning.
  • Don’t add an extra vowel: Resist the urge to add an "e" sound.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it being said correctly. Here are some examples:
    • Google: Search for "how to pronounce make" on Google and listen to the audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/make/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce make" and you'll find many videos demonstrating the correct sound.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to pronounce "make" as a verb (to create something) or as a noun (the thing being made)? (The pronunciation is the same in either case.)

Usage and examples with the word make in English

Let's break down how to use the word "make" in English. It's a super versatile word with many different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. To Create or Produce Something:

  • Basic Creation: This is the most common meaning.
    • I make a cake every Sunday. (I create a cake)
    • She makes clothes. (She produces clothes)
    • They make cars. (They manufacture cars)
  • Crafts and Art:
    • He makes pottery. (He creates pottery)
    • My daughter makes beautiful paintings. (She creates paintings)
  • Digital Creation:
    • I made a video. (I created a video)
    • He made a website. (He created a website)

2. To Cause Something to Happen:

  • Triggering an Event:
    • Making a mistake is part of learning. (Causing a mistake)
    • His careless actions made her angry. (Causing her anger)
  • Bringing About a Result:
    • The rain made the roses bloom. (Caused the blooming)
    • Hard work makes success. (Brings about success)

3. To Perform an Action (Often with "do"):

  • "Make" + "do" combination: This is very common and often interchangeable. Often, "do" emphasizes the action itself.
    • I need to make a phone call. (I need to perform the action of calling)
    • I need to do a phone call. (I need to perform the action of calling – sounds slightly more conversational)
    • Make dinner. (Perform the action of cooking dinner)
    • Do your homework. (Perform the action of doing homework)

4. To Change Something:

  • Transforming:
    • The cold made the river freeze. (Changed the river into a frozen state)
    • Exercise makes you stronger. (Changes your body, making you stronger)
  • Adjusting:
    • Make sure your seatbelt is fastened. (Adjust your seatbelt)
    • Make a small adjustment to the settings. (Change the settings a little)

5. To Give or Provide Something:

  • Giving a Gift or Possession:
    • He made me a present. (He gave me a present)
    • She made us sandwiches. (She provided sandwiches)
  • Providing a Service:
    • The mechanic made my car run smoothly. (Provided a service - repaired)
    • The teacher makes us think. (Provides an experience – encourages thought)

6. To Express an Opinion or Feeling:

  • Stating a Belief:
    • He made a good point. (He expressed a valid point)
    • She makes excellent arguments. (She expresses strong arguments)
  • Expressing Emotion:
    • He made me laugh. (He caused me to laugh)
    • That movie made me cry. (That movie caused me to cry)

7. As a Verb in Phrases (Common Phrases):

  • Make sure: (Ensure, be certain) - Make sure you lock the door.
  • Make up: (Invent, reconcile) - He made up a story. / They made up after their fight.
  • Make a decision: (Choose) - I need to make a decision.
  • Make an appointment: (Schedule) - I need to make an appointment with the doctor.
  • Make progress: (Improve) - We’re making progress on the project.
  • Make time: (Allocate time) - I don’t have time to help you.
  • Make sense: (Be understandable) - That doesn’t make sense.

8. As a Noun (Less Common, but Important):

  • A creation, production, or result:
    • What is the make of your car? (The manufacturer)
    • He's a good make of coffee. (A brand of coffee)

Tips for Using "Make" Correctly:

  • "Do" vs. "Make": As mentioned, "do" and "make" are often interchangeable, especially when referring to actions. However, "make" is generally preferred for creating something tangible. “Do” is usually used for actions and tasks.
  • Context is Key: The meaning of "make" is highly dependent on the context of the sentence.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are there any specific sentences you’re struggling with using “make”?
  • What kind of situations do you want to use “make” in? (e.g., writing emails, talking to friends, describing things)?

Synonyms for the word make

Idioms of the word make

make as if to do something
to make a movement that makes it seem as if you are just going to do something
  • He made as if to speak.
make do (with something)
to manage with something that is not really good enough
  • We were in a hurry so we had to make do with a quick snack.
make good
to become rich and successful
    make something good
    to pay for, replace or repair something that has been lost or damaged
    • She promised to make good the damage.
    to do something that you have promised, threatened, etc. to do
      make it
      to be successful in your career
      • He never really made it as an actor.
      to succeed in reaching a place in time, especially when this is difficult
      • The flight leaves in twenty minutes—we'll never make it.
      to be able to be present at a place
      • I'm sorry I won't be able to make it (= for example, to a party) on Saturday.
      to survive after a serious illness or accident; to deal successfully with a difficult experience
      • The doctors think he's going to make it.
      • I don't know how I made it through the week.
      make it with somebody
      (North American English, slang)to have sex with somebody
        make like…
        (North American English, informal)to pretend to be, know or have something in order to impress people
        • He makes like he's the greatest actor of all time.
        make the most of something/somebody/yourself
        to gain as much advantage, pleasure, etc. as you can from somebody/something
        • It's my first trip abroad so I'm going to make the most of it.
        • She doesn't know how to make the most of herself (= make herself appear in the best possible way).
        make much of something/somebody
        to treat something/somebody as very important
        • He always makes much of his humble origins.
        make or break somebody/something
        to be the thing that makes somebody/something either a success or a failure
        • This movie will make or break him as a director.
        • It's make-or-break time for the company.
        make something of yourself
        to be successful in your life
        • I wanted to study hard and really make something of myself.

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