Synonyms of makingnext
1
: the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being
spots problems in the making
2
: a process or means of advancement or success
3
: something made
especially : a quantity produced at one time : batch
4
a
: potentiality
—often plural
had the makings of a great artist
b
makings ˈmā-kənz How to pronounce making (audio)
ˈmā-kiŋz
plural : the material from which something is to be made
especially \ usually  ˈmā-​kənz \ : paper and tobacco for rolling cigarettes by hand

making

2 of 2

present participle of make entry 1

Examples of making in a Sentence

Noun methods used in the making of wine she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Hüller bursts in right around the 20-minute mark or so, screaming about how a disaster of her sibling’s making will totally ruin her business plans — and on the eve of Eva’s company going public, no less. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 Our circumstances, responsibilities, habits, and the amount of mental energy available to us can influence how difficult decision making feels. — Kriti Kumar, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 On Friday, the school announced that is has created a state-of-the-art facility on campus that brings artificial intelligence to the forefront of decision making and daily activities that consume the life of an athletic staff. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The Basketmaker—whose skills go far beyond furniture making—weaves her a match, Fiddler on the Roof-like, and the Fisherwoman, after an awkward matrimonial moment, takes Wicker Husband home to her funky little cottage. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for making

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English macung, from macian to make

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of making was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Making.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/making. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

making

noun
mak·​ing
ˈmā-kiŋ
1
: the act of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being
spots problems in the making
2
: a process or means of advancement or success
3
: material from which something can be developed : potentiality
there is the making of a racehorse in this colt
—often used in plural
has the makings of a great quarterback
4
plural : the materials from which something can be made
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