make
/meɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /meɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmāk/ (ame, mw)
make — verb
1. to create or build something by working with materials or combining parts; also
to create or build something by working with materials or combining parts; also used for preparing food or drink
Constanza made a beautiful wooden table for her daughter's bedroom.
make + object + for + person (indirect object)
Arjun made his younger brother a simple wooden toy for his birthday.
make + indirect object + direct object (recipient first)
The children made a big pile of leaves in the garden with a rake.
Feng made himself a cup of tea before starting work.
文法句型
make + object
make + indirect object + direct object
用法筆記
Can take two objects: 'She made him a sandwich' or 'She made a sandwich for him.' The indirect object (the person receiving) can come before or after the direct object.
常見錯誤
2. to create a film, television programme, piece of music, or other artistic work t
to create a film, television programme, piece of music, or other artistic work through directing, producing, writing, or performing
The studio made a documentary about the history of jazz music in New Orleans.
make a documentary / make a film
Asher is making a short film for his final school project this term.
That famous actor made twelve movies before she turned forty.
The theatre group made a wonderful show that ran for three months in London.
文法句型
make + film/programme/record
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (PRODUCE), this sense refers specifically to creating media or artistic works rather than physical objects made from materials.
常見錯誤
3. to bring a particular situation, event, feeling, or reaction into being through
to bring a particular situation, event, feeling, or reaction into being through an action or event
The loud music from next door made Hamza's head ache all evening.
make + object + bare infinitive (cause someone to feel/do something)
Kemi's funny story made everyone at the dinner table laugh out loud.
The heavy rain made driving on the highway very dangerous last night.
Diya's kind words made a big difference to how Anjali felt about the move.
文法句型
make + object + bare infinitive
make + object + noun/adj
用法筆記
When followed by an object and a verb, the second verb has no 'to' (bare infinitive): 'The music made her cry' (NOT 'made her to cry'). Distinguish from sense 6 (FORCE), where the causation is against the subject's will.
常見錯誤
4. to cause a person or thing to enter a particular state, take on a role, or becom
to cause a person or thing to enter a particular state, take on a role, or become a certain kind of thing — for example, making a room clean, making someone happy, or making someone a team leader
The warm sunshine made Élise feel happy after weeks of cold winter rain.
make + object + adjective (cause to feel a certain way)
The committee made Ritu the new head of the research team.
make + object + noun (appoint/elect someone as something)
Christopher made his opinions very clear during the staff meeting.
Nellie made herself understood by using simple words and hand gestures.
- cause to become
more formal and explicit about the change of state
- render
formal; implies a transformation, often permanent
- appoint
specifically for giving someone a position or role
文法句型
make + object + adjective
make + object + noun
make + object + past participle
用法筆記
Subject is commonly a person, an event, or a situation. The complement after the object can be an adjective ('make it bigger'), a noun ('make him captain'), or a past participle ('make herself heard'). Distinguish from sense 3 (CAUSE), where the focus is on causing an event/reaction — here the focus is on changing a state or identity.
常見錯誤
5. to do the necessary steps so that a particular result is achieved or a condition
to do the necessary steps so that a particular result is achieved or a condition is met
Please make sure you lock the front door before you leave the house.
make sure + that-clause (ensure something happens)
Romi made certain that every guest had a seat before the show began.
Sade made it clear that she would not accept any late submissions.
The teacher made sure all the students understood the homework before the bell rang.
文法句型
make sure + that-clause
make certain + that-clause
make + it + adjective + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the fixed expressions 'make sure' and 'make certain'. The that-clause following can omit 'that' in informal English: 'Make sure you lock the door.' The pattern 'make it + adjective + that-clause' (make it clear that...) is also common and belongs to this sense.
常見錯誤
6. to use your authority as a parent, teacher, employer, or other person in power t
to use your authority as a parent, teacher, employer, or other person in power to force someone to do something they do not want to do
Sergeant Cole made the new recruits clean the locker room before the inspection.
make + object + bare infinitive (military authority)
Heather's parents made her finish her homework before she could go out.
The head teacher made Camila stay after school to rewrite her essay.
Grandmother Mira made the children take a short nap after lunch every day.
文法句型
make + object + bare infinitive
用法筆記
The grammatical structure is the same as sense 3 (CAUSE) — 'make + object + bare infinitive' — but the meaning is different. In this sense, the action happens because the subject has authority or circumstances leave no choice. In sense 3, the action is a natural result or effect, not a matter of force.
常見錯誤
7. to describe a situation or set of circumstances that leaves a person with no rea
to describe a situation or set of circumstances that leaves a person with no real alternative but to act in a certain way, often against their wishes
The storm made the whole family leave their home and go to a shelter.
make + object + bare infinitive for causation
The sudden snowstorm made all the drivers pull over and wait for help.
circumstances compel action with no alternative
Takeshi was made to wait for over an hour at the clinic.
The bus strike made Takeshi walk four miles to reach his morning class on time.
- prevent
To stop someone from doing something rather than making them do it
文法句型
make + noun/pronoun + verb (base form)
be made to + infinitive
用法筆記
In the active voice, the verb after 'make' has no 'to' (bare infinitive): 'She made him wait.' In the passive, 'to' reappears: 'He was made to wait.' Do not confuse with 'cause' or 'force', which always take the to-infinitive.
常見錯誤
8. to do a specific action, movement, or task, especially one that has a clear aim
to do a specific action, movement, or task, especially one that has a clear aim or purpose
Élise made a funny face when she tasted the sour lemon.
collocation: make a face
The prime minister made a speech about jobs and the economy.
collocation: make a speech
Joshua made a promise to call his grandmother every Sunday.
Heloísa made a quick decision to take the train instead of the bus.
The car made a strange noise when Hugo turned the key in the morning.
文法句型
make + noun (decision / promise / speech / move / face / sound)
用法筆記
This sense combines with a wide range of nouns to describe specific actions. Common pairings include 'make a decision', 'make a promise', 'make a speech', 'make a move', 'make a sound', and 'make a face'. These are fixed collocations — 'do a speech' or 'take a promise' would sound unnatural.
常見錯誤
9. to move yourself or shift objects so that an empty area becomes available for so
to move yourself or shift objects so that an empty area becomes available for someone or something else to use or pass through
Shirin made room on the shelf for her new collection of novels.
collocation: make room for
The crowd quickly made way for the ambulance to drive through.
collocation: make way for
Lakshmi made space in her bag for the lunch her mother had packed.
Could you please make some room on the table for these plates?
- block
To prevent movement or access rather than allowing it
文法句型
make room / make space / make way + for + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with one of three nouns: 'room', 'space', or 'way'. 'Make way' is the most fixed expression and often implies urgency or respect. 'Make room' and 'make space' are more general and can refer to physical or abstract arrangement.
10. to restore a bed to a neat state by pulling the sheets and covers smooth after s
to restore a bed to a neat state by pulling the sheets and covers smooth after someone has slept there
Nia makes her bed every morning before leaving for school.
present simple for daily routine
The hotel cleaner made the bed and placed a small chocolate on the pillow.
Aunt Rosa told the children to make their beds before going outside to play.
Sahil forgot to make his bed, so his mother called him back to do it.
文法句型
make + (possessive) + bed
用法筆記
This is a fixed expression. 'Make the bed' is the standard way to describe tidying it after sleeping. 'Do the bed' or 'fix the bed' are not used in standard English for this meaning.
常見錯誤
11. to produce a particular number or amount when all the separate parts are added t
to produce a particular number or amount when all the separate parts are added together
Five plus seven makes twelve, but the calculator showed thirteen.
make + number for basic arithmetic
The donations from the charity event made a total of ¥50,000.
The repair costs for the two cars made nearly three thousand dollars.
This year's sales make up sixty percent of the company's income.
文法句型
make + number/amount
make + percentage
用法筆記
This sense is often used without a human subject — the numbers or items being added are the subject. 'Two and two makes four' is the standard phrasing, though 'make' (plural) is also common in informal usage.
常見錯誤
12. to calculate, guess, or decide that someone or something has a particular age, s
to calculate, guess, or decide that someone or something has a particular age, speed, value, or meaning based on available information
The archaeologist made the old vase to be about two thousand years old.
make + object + to be + complement
Yan made the distance between the two towns at roughly fifty kilometers.
make + object + at + number
I make the total damage from the flood at over two million dollars.
What do you make the time — is it nearly ten o'clock already?
文法句型
make + noun/pronoun + noun (e.g. make something 500)
make + noun/pronoun + adjective (e.g. make something clear)
用法筆記
This sense has a slightly formal tone and is most common in British English. It typically appears with a prepositional phrase ('at ¥200', 'to be old') rather than with a direct number alone. 'What do you make the time?' is a fixed informal expression asking someone to guess or estimate the current time.
13. to receive money as payment for your work, or to obtain something through your o
to receive money as payment for your work, or to obtain something through your own effort
Ife made over fifty thousand dollars in her first year as a nurse.
collocation: make money / make a living
The small bakery makes most of its profit from weekend customers.
Yan made a comfortable living by selling his landscape paintings online.
Hamza made enough money from part-time tutoring to buy a used car.
- lose
to fail to keep or obtain money
用法筆記
Object is typically money, a profit, or a living. Frequently used in work and business contexts.
常見錯誤
14. to successfully reach a place or an event, especially when time is limited or th
to successfully reach a place or an event, especially when time is limited or the journey involves difficulty
The express train from Paris made the station five minutes ahead of schedule.
collocation: make the station / make the train
If we leave now, we should still make the eight o'clock show downtown.
The hikers made the mountain shelter just before the storm hit the area.
Emily made the meeting on time despite the heavy traffic on the freeway.
- miss
to fail to reach a place or event before it starts or departs
用法筆記
Object is a destination, a scheduled event, or a deadline. Often used with time-related phrases such as 'on time', 'in time', or 'ahead of schedule'.
常見錯誤
15. to succeed in obtaining a position on a sports team, in a competition, or within
to succeed in obtaining a position on a sports team, in a competition, or within a selective group
Otis trained every day for months and finally made the school basketball team.
collocation: make the team / make the squad
A broken ankle meant that Shanti could not make the Olympic swimming squad.
The coach announced that Christopher made the starting lineup for Friday's game.
Only the top three runners from each region will make the national team.
- get into
more general, not limited to sports or competition
- qualify for
implies meeting a specific standard or requirement
用法筆記
Object is a team, squad, lineup, or similar competitive group. Used primarily in sports and selection contexts, implying a competitive process.
常見錯誤
16. to be reported in the news as an important or interesting story
to be reported in the news as an important or interesting story
The earthquake in Japan made the front page of every major newspaper.
collocation: make the front page / make headlines
A story about the local animal shelter made the evening news last night.
The celebrity wedding made headlines around the world for several days.
The small fishing village made the news when its harbour was rebuilt after the storm.
- hit the headlines
more dramatic and informal
- be covered by
neutral and more formal
- feature in
implies prominent placement or attention
用法筆記
Object is a publication or broadcast medium — the front page, the evening news, headlines. Typically implies significant coverage by major media outlets.
常見錯誤
17. to cause a situation, event, or personal experience to turn out completely enjoy
to cause a situation, event, or personal experience to turn out completely enjoyable, satisfying, or successful
The sunny weather and calm sea really made our beach holiday.
collocation: make the holiday / make the evening
A good sauce can make an ordinary dish into something truly memorable.
Élise practised the piano piece daily, and her hard work made the concert.
The warm lighting and soft background music made the evening wonderfully romantic.
- complete
to add the final pleasing element to something
- ensure the success of
more formal and deliberate
- be the making of
idiomatic, informal — used for a person or element that transforms something
- ruin
to cause an event or experience to be unsuccessful or unenjoyable
用法筆記
Object is an event, occasion, or experience — a holiday, party, meal, performance, or evening. Common in informal, positive descriptions. Not used for making objects technically perfect.
常見錯誤
make — noun
1. the name of a company that produces a product, or the product itself when identi
the name of a company that produces a product, or the product itself when identified by its manufacturer, model, or type
Ziad asked what make of car Élise drove before buying his own.
collocation: make of [product]
The mechanic said this make of washing machine often needs repairs after five years.
determiner + make + of + product noun
Naoko only buys one make of running shoes because they fit her feet well.
Our kitchen has appliances of the same make, so the colours all match.
That store sells several makes of laptop, from budget to high-end models.
文法句型
make + of + noun
what + make
of the same make
用法筆記
Often used in questions with 'what' ('What make is your car?') or with an adjective describing origin ('a Japanese make', 'a foreign make'). In everyday conversation 'brand' is more common for everyday items, while 'make' is especially frequent for cars, machines, and appliances.