make of

To have an opinion about someone or something, or understand them in a particular way.

• What do you make of this?
• I could not make much of his explanation.
• She did not know what to make of the unexpected gift.

How to use it: what do you make of someone/something? (What do you make of his sudden silence?); make something of something (I could make nothing of the instructions.)

Similar words: interpret, think of

Common phrases: make of something, make of someone

To turn someone or something into a different kind of person or thing.

• Training made a runner of me.
• Hardship made strong people of the young survivors.
• Could a good teacher make an artist of him?

How to use it: make a/an + noun + of someone/something (Years of practice made a fine musician of her.)

Similar words: make into, turn into

Common phrases: make something of someone, make something of something