make out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I can make out all the letters of the alphabet, even the smallest ones," he marvelled, pointing to his phone screen.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

"She sent a message and at first I couldn't make out what she was saying, I was very confused," Jane said.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Papic accepts that China has a heavy energy import dependency, but points out this is far less of an Achilles’ heel than most make out.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

It was difficult from my seat in the press gallery to make out much of what he was saying.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

At first, it just looks like a mass of scribbles, but then I make out the crooked, wobbly letters that spell Boo.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko