: to become successful
She has worked very hard to make something of herself.
: to become successful
He decided to go back to college and make something of himself.
Examples of make something of (oneself) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
The film is about a young woman without any support who, for various diplomatic reasons, is sent abroad and has to make something of herself.
—Keaton Bell, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2021
For one night, though, the Mavericks looked like a team that still has a chance to make something of this season.
—Dallas News, 16 Dec. 2022
Having dropped out of high school, Ms. Minner was determined to make something of herself — and to show her sons that dropping out was not OK.
—New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021
See all Example Sentences for make something of (oneself) 
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.
Idiom
The notion that people can make something of their lives regardless of their starting point has defined the nation for centuries.
—Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
The film is about a young woman without any support who, for various diplomatic reasons, is sent abroad and has to make something of herself.
—Keaton Bell, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2021
For one night, though, the Mavericks looked like a team that still has a chance to make something of this season.
—Dallas News, 16 Dec. 2022
Having dropped out of high school, Ms. Minner was determined to make something of herself — and to show her sons that dropping out was not OK.
—New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021
See all Example Sentences for make something of (oneself)
Dictionary Entries Near make something of (oneself)
make something of oneself
make something of (oneself)
Cite this Entry
“Make something of (oneself).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20something%20of%20%28oneself%29. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share