make of
B2Neutral to informal; commonly used in spoken and written English for expressing judgment or interpretation.
Definition
Meaning
To interpret, understand, or form an opinion about someone or something based on available information.
To create or produce something from a particular material or source; (archaic) to cause someone to develop into a particular kind of person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used transitively with an object (what you make of *something*). Often appears in questions ("What do you make of...?") or statements expressing uncertainty/difficulty in interpretation ("I can't make of it"). The phrasal verb is inseparable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The core meaning and usage are identical in both varieties. British English might slightly more frequently use it in the sense of "to cause to develop into" (e.g., "He was made of a surgeon"), but this is now rare.
Connotations
Identical. Carries the same connotation of personal assessment or tentative judgment.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + make + [object (often: it/that/situation)] + of + [noun phrase]What + do/does/did + [subject] + make + of + [noun phrase]?Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make head nor tail of”
- “make much/little of something”
- “make something of yourself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The board couldn't make of the latest market data; it was too contradictory."
Academic
"Historians are still trying to make of the fragmentary evidence from the site."
Everyday
"What did you make of the new neighbour? They seemed a bit quiet."
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts; more common in discussion/analysis phases (e.g., "The team needs to make of the initial test results.").
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I don't know what to make of his sudden resignation.
- The table is made of solid oak.
- She made a great success of her life.
American English
- What do you make of the latest election polls?
- The sculpture is made of recycled steel.
- He really made something of himself after college.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The toy is made of plastic.
- What do you make of this picture? It's funny!
- I can't make anything of this map; it's too confusing.
- The bridge is made of strong metal.
- The panel was asked what they made of the candidate's unconventional proposal.
- It's a strange film—I'm not sure what to make of its ending.
- Critics have struggled to make of the author's latest novel, finding its themes elusive.
- One must consider what history will make of our decisions today.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sculptor looking at a block of stone. They must decide WHAT TO MAKE OF IT—both literally (what statue to carve) and figuratively (how to interpret its potential).
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SHAPING/FORMING (from raw material of information).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите дословно как "делать из". Это ложный друг. "What do you make of this?" = "Как ты это понимаешь?/Что ты об этом думаешь?", а не "Что ты из этого делаешь?" (что было бы "What are you making from this?").
- Не путайте с "make from" (производить из материала).
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., "I couldn't make of." ❌). Correct: "I couldn't make anything of it." ✅
- Confusing with "make out" (to see/hear with difficulty). "I can't make of his handwriting" ❌ vs. "I can't make out his handwriting" ✅.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'I'm not sure what to make of her apology,' the phrase 'make of' means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot put the object between 'make' and 'of' (e.g., "make it of" is incorrect for this meaning). The object follows 'of'.
'Make of' (in its literal sense) refers to the material something consists of, which is often still recognizable (e.g., 'a house made of brick'). 'Make from' implies a transformation where the original material is changed (e.g., 'paper made from wood pulp'). However, in modern usage, they are often used interchangeably. Figuratively, only 'make of' means 'to interpret'.
Yes. The past tense is 'made of'. For example: "He asked me what I made of the situation yesterday." The literal sense also uses 'made of': "It was made of gold."
Not inherently. It is a neutral and common way to ask for someone's opinion or interpretation. Its politeness depends on context and tone, like any question.