Definition of the word make out

The term "make out" originated in the 1940s and 50s as slang for intimate or romantic activities between two people. Its original meaning, however, was not directly related to physical intimacy. At the time, the phrase "make out" meant to figure out, decipher, or identify something. For example, a person might say, "I'll make out who that singer is by the sound of their voice." This meaning of the phrase can still be seen in its modern usage during exams or quizzes, when someone might say, "I'm just trying to make out what the question is asking." Later in the 1940s and 50s, the phrase's meaning began to change as it was applied to romantic situations. In its new usage, "making out" referred to kissing, petting, and other intimate but non-sexual activities between two people. This usage can likely be attributed to the popularity of movies and TV shows during this time, which often depicted courting rituals involving kissing and hand-holding. Over time, the term's meaning evolved further, and it came to encompass more intimate activities, ultimately culminating in its current definition, which involves sexual activity beyond just kissing and petting. Today, "making out" is still widely used as slang for romantic or sexual activities, but its connection to its earlier meaning as a synonym for identifying or figuring things out is largely forgotten.