step out

verb

stepped out; stepping out; steps out

intransitive verb

1
: to go away from a place usually for a short distance and for a short time
2
: to go or march at a vigorous or increased pace
3
: die
4
: to lead an active social life
5
: to be unfaithful
usually used with on
had been stepping out on his wife

Examples of step out in a Sentence

if she catches him stepping out on her, she'll divorce him without a moment's hesitation my greedy relatives are only being nice to me because they expect me to step out any time now
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are stepping out to support their mom's big night Comments Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stepped out in support of their mom, Kate Middleton, at her poignant carol service. Janine Henni, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Surveillance footage of the shooting obtained by shows the assailant stepping out behind Thompson from behind a vehicle and shooting him from behind using what appears to be a silencer. James Bickerton, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 The brief runs an hour, and at 0600 Geppetto steps out of the control room and, one last time, checks the weather. J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024 Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deals at Nordstrom Rack Nowhere does discounts quite like Nordstrom Rack—year-round, yes, but the retailer steps out specifically for Cyber Monday. Annie Blackman, Allure, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for step out 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of step out was circa 1533

Cite this Entry

“Step out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20out. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

step out

verb
: to go away from a place usually for a short distance and for a short time
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!