out
out — adverb
1. moving from the inner part of a room, container, or hidden place to the outside.
moving from the inner part of a room, container, or hidden place to the outside.
Maya pulled the cake out of the oven with thick gloves.
out of + container/place
A small frog jumped out when Leo opened the garden box.
come/go/jump + out
Smoke came out of the kitchen window after dinner burned.
Please pour the rice out into the large blue bowl.
- come out
- pull out
- jump out
- out of the oven
Grammar Patterns
come/go/get + out
out of + place/container
Usage Note
With a named room, box, or building, English usually adds 'of': 'out of the kitchen', 'out of the box'. Without a following noun, plain 'out' is often enough.
Common Mistakes
2. in the open air or beyond the walls of a room or building.
in the open air or beyond the walls of a room or building.
The children are out in the yard, building a snow rabbit.
be + out + in + place
Marcus waited out by the gate while the nurse called his name.
Tonight is warm enough to eat out on the balcony.
eat out = dine outdoors here
The dog stayed out all afternoon beside the vegetable garden.
- out in the yard
- wait out by the gate
- stay out all afternoon
- eat out on the balcony
Grammar Patterns
be/stay + out
out + in/by + place
Usage Note
Usually follows 'be', 'stay', 'wait', or another simple verb of position. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 shows movement; sense 2 shows location.
Common Mistakes
3. temporarily somewhere else instead of being at home or in your normal workplace.
temporarily somewhere else instead of being at home or in your normal workplace.
Mr. Chen is out until lunch, so please call again later.
be + out + time phrase
Maya was out when the plumber came to fix the sink.
Our manager is out this morning at a dentist appointment.
The office is quiet because three sales staff are out today.
- be out until lunch
- out today
- the manager is out
- staff are out
Grammar Patterns
be + out
out + until/today/this morning
Usage Note
Common with people, offices, and phones: 'Mr. Chen is out', 'the manager is out today'. Distinguish from sense 4, which usually adds a social purpose, and sense 5, which points to work duties elsewhere.
Common Mistakes
4. away from home because you are meeting people or doing something for fun.
away from home because you are meeting people or doing something for fun.
Emma and Raj are out tonight for dinner and a jazz show.
out + tonight/for + social plan
My parents stayed out late after their friend's birthday party.
Lina is out with her classmates, so she will miss supper.
out with + people
Marcus asked whether Maya wanted to go out after work.
- out tonight
- stay out late
- out with friends
- go out after work
- away
can mean not at home, but does not itself imply fun or social plans
- out and about
more lively and suggests moving around rather than one plan
- in
used for staying at home rather than going out
Grammar Patterns
be + out + tonight/late
go out + with/for + social event
Usage Note
Often followed by time or company phrases: 'out tonight', 'out with friends', 'out for dinner'. Distinguish from sense 3 (simply absent) and sense 5 (away for work).
Common Mistakes
5. working somewhere other than your usual office as part of your job.
working somewhere other than your usual office as part of your job.
Priya is out in Tainan this week, visiting school clients.
out + in + place for work travel
Our sales director is out at the Taichung factory all morning.
out + at + work location
Marcus will be out tomorrow, training new staff in Hsinchu.
The engineers were out on site when the main server failed.
out on site
- out on site
- out visiting clients
- out at the factory
- out of the office
- away
broader and less clearly tied to work duties
- travelling
fits when the work requires going to another place, especially a different city
Grammar Patterns
be + out + at/on/in + work place
be + out + visiting/training + object
Usage Note
Often used in office language: 'out at the factory', 'out on site', 'out visiting clients'. Distinguish from sense 3 if the absence is personal rather than job-related.
Common Mistakes
6. used in libraries to say a book or similar item has been borrowed and is not on
used in libraries to say a book or similar item has been borrowed and is not on the shelf.
That history book is out until Friday, so you cannot renew it.
library item + be out
The novel you wanted is out, but two copies return tomorrow.
Ask the librarian if the science atlas is still out on loan.
still out for borrowed item
Every copy of the exam guide was out before noon.
- book is out
- still out
- all copies are out
- out until Friday
- borrowed
states the result directly, without the library shorthand
- checked out
common especially in North American library language
- in
used by library staff for an item that has been returned
- on the shelf
describes the book as available in the library building
Grammar Patterns
book/item + be + out
still/out until + time
Usage Note
Library-only. Distinguish from later senses where 'out' means available to the public or no longer kept secret; here it means another reader has borrowed the item.
Common Mistakes
7. so that something is no longer there because it has been taken away, cleaned off
so that something is no longer there because it has been taken away, cleaned off, or lost from its place.
Mina rubbed the marker out before the teacher checked the board.
rub + noun + out for removing marks
One button dropped out of the coat on the train.
drop out of + place
Rosa crossed my old phone number out on the paper list.
The nurse washed the blood out of Leo's shirt sleeve.
- rub a word out
- cross a name out
- wash a stain out
- drop out of the coat
Grammar Patterns
rub/wipe + noun + out
cross + noun + out
wash + noun + out
drop/fall out of + place
Usage Note
Often follows a verb that removes a mark, part, or object from where it was. Distinguish from sense 8: here something is physically or visibly taken away, not simply unavailable.
Common Mistakes
8. used when a person, machine, shop, or place has none of something left.
used when a person, machine, shop, or place has none of something left.
We're out of eggs, so Dad cooked noodles instead.
be out of + noun
By Friday afternoon, the bakery was out of cheese rolls.
After the rush, the ticket office was out of maps.
place is out of something
Our printer is out of paper again before the exam.
- out of eggs
- out of paper
- out of maps
- out of bread
- used up
stresses that all of something has been consumed
- gone
informal and broad, but less clear about stock or supply
- unavailable
more formal and can include reasons other than exhaustion
Grammar Patterns
be out of + noun
shop/office/printer is out of + noun
Usage Note
Usually comes after 'be' and often takes 'of' before the missing item. Distinguish from sense 7: sense 8 does not describe taking something away, only having none remaining.
Common Mistakes
9. in games such as cricket or baseball, finished and no longer taking part because
in games such as cricket or baseball, finished and no longer taking part because that turn or play has ended.
After the quick catch, Ravi was out and had to sit down.
be out after a catch
At forty-two runs, Mei was out, so Hana took the bat.
be out for + score
The batter was out after the catcher held the ball.
By the fifth over, our team already had two batters out.
- be out after a catch
- be out for forty-two
- batter is out
- two players are out
- dismissed
common in cricket reports and more formal than everyday 'out'
- eliminated
broader and can apply to contests beyond batting turns
- in
used in some sports to mean still playing or still batting
- still batting
explicitly says the player's turn has not ended
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out after + catch/play
be out for + score
Usage Note
Used in sport when a player's turn is over and another player must take over. It is common after 'be', often with the reason or score added after it.
Common Mistakes
10. not in government anymore after losing an election.
not in government anymore after losing an election.
After the vote, the Green Party was out for four years.
be out after losing an election
By midnight, the prime minister knew his government was out.
government is out
The ruling party was out after rising food prices hurt families.
When the final seats were counted, Mayor Lin was out.
- party is out
- government is out
- out after the election
- out of office
- out of office
close in meaning and often slightly more explicit
- defeated
focuses on the election result rather than the loss of governing power
- voted out
stresses that voters removed the leader or party
Grammar Patterns
be out after the election
government/party is out
be out of office
Usage Note
Used in politics after elections or vote counts, usually with a party, government, leader, or mayor as subject. Distinguish from sense 9, which is about sport rather than public office.
Common Mistakes
11. among several people, so each person gets a part, copy, or share.
among several people, so each person gets a part, copy, or share.
The coach handed the orange slices out after the game.
hand + noun + out
By nine o'clock, test papers were handed out in every room.
passive: be handed out
At the door, volunteers gave maps out to every visitor.
The teacher shared the art paper out among six tables.
- hand leaflets out
- give maps out
- share food out
- papers were handed out
- distribute
more formal and often used in official contexts
- hand round
common in British English for passing things to a group
- divide up
stresses splitting something into shares
Grammar Patterns
hand/give + noun + out
share + noun + out
be handed out
Usage Note
Follows verbs that give or divide things to a group. The object is usually something countable or divisible, such as papers, food, maps, or money.
Common Mistakes
12. away from the middle, covering more space in different directions.
away from the middle, covering more space in different directions.
From the stage, the sound spread out across the dark field.
spread out across + area
At sunset, smoke moved out from the campfire across the wet field.
move out from + centre
The children fanned out from the bus and ran to the swings.
Cracks ran out from the stone after the heavy truck hit.
- spread out across the field
- move out from the fire
- fan out from the bus
- run out from the stone
Grammar Patterns
spread/fan out
move/run out from + centre
out across + area
Usage Note
Usually appears with a starting point such as a stage, fire, bus, or stone. It describes movement or shape going from one centre toward a wider area.
Common Mistakes
13. of a book, film, album, game, or similar work, already released so people can bu
of a book, film, album, game, or similar work, already released so people can buy it, watch it, or listen to it.
Her new cookbook is out in Taiwan next Friday.
book/album/film + be out
The band's live album came out before the summer tour.
book/film/album + come out
This month's science magazine is out at every station shop.
Their short film comes out online after the school festival.
A cheaper paperback edition was out by the end of May.
- new book is out
- album came out
- film comes out
- latest issue is out
- paperback edition out
- unreleased
not yet made public
- unavailable
broader and can mean temporarily not obtainable
Grammar Patterns
book/film/album + be out
magazine/issue + be out
book/film/album + come out
Usage Note
Usually said of creative works and editions, not ordinary objects in a shop. Distinguish from sense 20, where something secret becomes known.
Common Mistakes
14. visible because it has appeared or is no longer hidden.
visible because it has appeared or is no longer hidden.
By midnight, the stars were out above the dark lake.
stars/moon/sun + be out
After lunch, the sun came out and dried the path.
sun/moon/flowers/rash + come out
Tiny white flowers came out along the stone wall.
A red rash came out on Mia's arms after lunch.
We stayed outside while the moon was out over Taipei.
- stars are out
- sun came out
- moon is out
- flowers came out
- rash came out
- appear
the broad everyday word
- show
often used when something can now be seen
- be visible
slightly more formal and descriptive
Grammar Patterns
stars/moon/sun + be out
sun/moon/flowers/rash + come out
Usage Note
Most common with things that can be seen after clouds, skin, or petals no longer hide them. Distinguish from sense 13, which is about works being released for the public.
Common Mistakes
15. used after some verbs and adjectives to show an extreme degree or a fully finish
used after some verbs and adjectives to show an extreme degree or a fully finished result.
After the mountain walk, the children were tired out by dinner.
tired/worn/stressed + out
The long bus ride wore Maya out before the game.
wear + someone + out
By Friday night, Rosa felt worn out from two late shifts.
By noon, the hot wind had dried our socks out.
dry + noun + out for full result
The loud news report left Grandpa stressed out all evening.
- tired out
- worn out
- stressed out
- wear someone out
- sort something out
- completely
best when the idea is total result
- totally
common in speech and strongly emphatic
- fully
often sounds more neutral or formal
- very
works for degree, but not always for completed result
Grammar Patterns
tired/worn/stressed + out
wear + someone + out
sort + something + out
Usage Note
Common after adjectives like 'tired' and 'worn', and in verbs such as 'wear ... out' and 'sort ... out'. In this sense, 'out' adds force rather than location.
Common Mistakes
16. after verbs like laugh, cry, or call, showing that the sound is made loudly enou
after verbs like laugh, cry, or call, showing that the sound is made loudly enough for others to hear.
Nina cried out when the dog jumped onto her leg.
cry/call/scream + out
The whole class laughed out loud at Omar's drawing.
laugh + out loud
Dad called out from the gate when dinner was ready.
The baby screamed out as the cold water touched him.
Please read the names out so everyone can hear.
read + something + out
- cry out
- call out
- laugh out loud
- scream out
- read out
Grammar Patterns
cry/call/scream + out
laugh + out loud
read + something + out
Usage Note
Usually follows verbs of speaking, shouting, laughing, or crying. Distinguish from sense 15, where 'out' strengthens a result such as 'tired out'.
Common Mistakes
17. far from land, towns, or home, often in the sea or another remote place.
far from land, towns, or home, often in the sea or another remote place.
The fishing boat was far out at sea before sunrise.
far out at sea
Two sheep farms stood miles out from the nearest town.
miles out from town
Her cousin lived out in Canada for three years.
out in + country/place
By noon, the hikers were out in the empty desert.
A rescue plane spotted smoke far out beyond the islands.
- far out at sea
- miles out from town
- out in the desert
- out in Canada
- far out beyond the islands
- far away
the plain everyday equivalent
- remotely
more formal and less physical in tone
- in the distance
describes location from the speaker's viewpoint
Grammar Patterns
far out at sea
miles out from town
out in + country/place
Usage Note
Often appears with 'at sea', 'from town', or 'in' before a place name. Distinguish from sense 19, which is specifically about being away from the coast or beach.
18. not giving light or heat anymore because it has stopped burning or shining.
not giving light or heat anymore because it has stopped burning or shining.
When we got home, every kitchen light was out.
light/fire/candle + be out
By morning, the campfire was out and the stones were cold.
The candles went out during the storm at dinner.
lights/candles + go out
Please make sure the last candle is out before bed.
The porch lamp stayed out after the heavy rain.
lamp + stay out
- lights are out
- fire is out
- candles went out
- lamp stayed out
- make sure the fire is out
- extinguished
best for flames and fires
- unlit
describes something with no light on it
- dark
focuses on the result rather than the stopping itself
Grammar Patterns
light/fire/candle + be out
lights/candles + go out
lamp + stay out
Usage Note
Most common after 'be', 'go', or 'stay' with lights, candles, fires, and lamps. Distinguish from sense 23, where 'out' means unconscious or asleep.
Common Mistakes
19. Farther from land, toward deeper water.
Farther from land, toward deeper water.
By sunset, the fishing boats were already two miles out.
distance phrase with offshore position
Strong wind pushed the kayaks farther out from the beach.
farther out from + coast
A rescue helicopter spotted the swimmers half a kilometer out.
At low tide, dark rocks appear farther out in the bay.
- two miles out
- farther out
- out from the beach
- well out in the bay
- offshore
more formal and often used as an adjective as well
- seaward
literary and strongly directional
- away from shore
plain paraphrase rather than a fixed one-word alternative
- inshore
means closer to land
- near the coast
plain opposite in everyday language
Grammar Patterns
be out
farther/further out
out from the coast
Usage Note
Usually used for boats, swimmers, or things seen from the beach. Often appears with a distance or comparison word such as 'two miles out' or 'farther out'.
Common Mistakes
20. Used when news, facts, or another piece of information has become openly known i
Used when news, facts, or another piece of information has become openly known instead of staying private.
By breakfast, the election result was out across the whole town.
[news/result] is out
Once the video was out online, the school could not deny it.
be out online
The surprise guest list was out before Maya arrived at dinner.
After one interview, the mayor's private texts were out on every news site.
- the news is out
- the truth is out
- out online
- out everywhere
Grammar Patterns
[news/details/name] is out
[secret] comes out
be out online
Usage Note
The subject is usually information, such as news, details, results, or a name. Distinguish from sense 21: this sense is about information becoming public, not a person's LGBTQ identity.
Common Mistakes
21. Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is openly known rather than hidden from o
Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is openly known rather than hidden from other people.
Evan was out to his sisters long before he told his coach.
be out to + person/group
Only one lawyer at the firm was out in 2010.
be out at + workplace
After college, Priya felt safer being out at work.
The singer was out by then, so reporters asked about her wife.
- out to his family
- out at work
- out at school
- openly out
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out to + family/friends
be out at + work/school
Usage Note
Most often used after 'be'. It commonly adds the people who know with 'to' or the setting with 'at', as in 'out to his brother' and 'out at school'.
Common Mistakes
22. Used in games to say a ball has fallen beyond the marked lines of play.
Used in games to say a ball has fallen beyond the marked lines of play.
Riko's first serve landed out by a few centimeters.
[serve] lands out
From the sideline, the referee called the ball out.
call the ball out
The shot looked in, but slow video showed it was out.
During practice, three returns flew out into the empty seats.
- land out
- call the ball out
- just out
- serve out
Grammar Patterns
[ball] lands out
call the ball out
[shot/serve] is out
Usage Note
Almost always used for balls in sports with boundary lines, especially tennis. Distinguish from ordinary 'outside': this sense is the formal game judgment about where the ball landed.
Common Mistakes
23. Asleep or no longer conscious, often after medicine, illness, or a blow.
Asleep or no longer conscious, often after medicine, illness, or a blow.
After the long surgery, Mr. Wu was still out in recovery.
be out after medicine or illness
By nine o'clock, both children were out on the sofa.
be out = asleep
The boxer stayed out for several seconds after the left hook.
One allergy pill and Rosa was out before the movie ended.
- still out
- out on the sofa
- stay out for seconds
- out after the medicine
- asleep
covers ordinary sleep, without the informal tone
- unconscious
more medical and does not include normal sleep
- knocked out
specifically suggests a blow or strong impact
Grammar Patterns
be out
stay out
be knocked out
Usage Note
Common in informal speech. Unlike adjective sense 5, this adverb sense also covers ordinary sleep, not only loss of consciousness after being hit.
Common Mistakes
24. Used when a figure, measurement, or judgment is wrong instead of exact.
Used when a figure, measurement, or judgment is wrong instead of exact.
Your hotel bill is out by twenty dollars.
out by + amount
The map scale was slightly out, so we missed the turn.
slightly out for inaccurate value
Her guess was out by nearly a year.
With the wrong ruler, the carpenter's shelf height was out by two centimeters.
- out by twenty dollars
- slightly out
- a bit out
- measurement is out
- wrong
broad everyday word for any mistake
- inaccurate
more formal and often used for data or measurement
- off
informal and common for numbers or timing
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out by + amount
[measurement/guess] is out
Usage Note
Often followed by 'by' plus the amount of error: 'out by two centimeters'. The subject is usually a number, bill, guess, total, or measurement.
Common Mistakes
25. used after a superlative to mean the best, biggest, or similar item among the th
used after a superlative to mean the best, biggest, or similar item among the things now available or existing.
This is the safest bike out for young children.
superlative + noun + out
Among cheap laptops, this may be the best one out.
the best one out
That spring, it was the funniest cartoon out on local TV.
For small cars, this is still the quietest model out.
- the best one out
- the safest bike out
- the funniest show out
- the quietest model out
Grammar Patterns
the best/safest/quietest + noun + out
the best one out
Usage Note
Restricted to superlatives and usually comes after the noun: 'the best phone out', 'the safest car out'. It points to the current set of things available for comparison.
Common Mistakes
26. used to say a season, month, year, or similar period has come to an end.
used to say a season, month, year, or similar period has come to an end.
May is out, so the school pool opens tomorrow.
time period + is out
When winter is out, farmers start planting rice again.
By midnight, the old year was out and fireworks began.
year was out
Once exam week is out, Leo can visit Grandma.
- May is out
- winter is out
- the old year was out
- exam week is out
Grammar Patterns
month/season/year + is out
once/when + time period + is out
Usage Note
Mostly follows a named month, season, year, or exam period. It is less common than 'over' and sounds more idiomatic or literary.
Common Mistakes
27. used to say an idea, plan, or action cannot be accepted or carried out.
used to say an idea, plan, or action cannot be accepted or carried out.
Camping this weekend is out because the bridge washed away.
idea/activity + is out
After the dentist's bill, a beach holiday was out.
With two babies asleep upstairs, loud music is out tonight.
For safety reasons, climbing the wall is out after rain.
be out after + reason
- is out because
- a holiday was out
- loud music is out
- climbing the wall is out
- impossible
focuses on something not being able to happen
- not allowed
stresses rules or permission more clearly
- off the table
informal and common when an option is no longer considered
Grammar Patterns
plan/idea/activity + is out
be out because/after + reason
Usage Note
Usually follows the thing being rejected, such as a trip, purchase, or activity. Distinguish from sense 28, which is about fashion rather than possibility or permission.
Common Mistakes
28. used when a style, colour, item, or habit is no longer seen as modern or popular
used when a style, colour, item, or habit is no longer seen as modern or popular.
Skinny ties are out this year at Mila's design school.
style/item + is out
By senior year, printed phone cases were already out.
In new cafes, bright orange walls are mostly out now.
For wedding photos, heavy filters are out these days.
be out these days
- are out this year
- were already out
- are out now
- are out these days
- unfashionable
the closest formal adjective, but less conversational
- dated
suggests something feels from an earlier period
- old-fashioned
can be negative or sometimes pleasantly traditional
- in
the usual short opposite in fashion talk
- fashionable
neutral and broad for current style approval
Grammar Patterns
style/item + is out
be out this year/now/these days
Usage Note
Subjects are usually fashions, colours, clothes, or ways of decorating. Distinguish from sense 27: here the thing may still be possible, but people no longer think it looks current.
Common Mistakes
29. trying to do something, often harmful or selfish, as your purpose.
trying to do something, often harmful or selfish, as your purpose.
The scammer was out to steal cash from tired tourists.
be out to + verb
Some firms are out to cut pay, not help staff.
That blogger seems out to embarrass many young singers.
Ava isn't out to shame you in front of class.
negative: not out to + verb
- out to steal
- out to cut pay
- out to embarrass
- not out to shame
- intend
broader and neutral, without the negative feeling
- be bent on
stronger and often suggests stubborn determination
- seek
more formal and less clearly selfish or hostile
Grammar Patterns
be out to + verb
not be out to + verb
Usage Note
Almost always appears in 'be out to + verb'. It usually suggests a selfish or hostile aim, though a negative form like 'not out to hurt anyone' softens that idea.
Common Mistakes
To have the goal of getting something or doing something.
Maya is out for a promotion at her company.
The team is out to win the championship this year.
Going into and leaving a place many times.
Diego has been in and out of the hospital all month.
The cat was in and out of the house all day.
out and about
idiomAble to go outside and move around after being sick or stuck at home.
After a week in bed, Lena is finally out and about.
My grandfather is out and about walking in the park.
out of here
idiomLeaving a place immediately.
I finished my work, so I'm out of here.
As soon as the bell rings, the students are out of here.
out of it
idiomFeeling sad or left out because you are not part of a group or activity.
Sara felt out of it when her friends talked about old movies.
Brian looked out of it at the party because he knew no one.
out — verb
1. to make other people know that someone is gay, trans, or similar, especially wit
to make other people know that someone is gay, trans, or similar, especially without that person's agreement.
A school email outed Jordan as trans to every parent.
out + person + as + identity
The magazine outed the football player before he spoke to his sons.
By posting old photos online, the cousin outed Leo to coworkers.
A classmate threatened to out Ben unless he paid the money.
threaten to out + person
During the interview, the singer was outed by a former roommate.
often passive in reports
- out someone
- out someone as trans
- out someone to coworkers
- be outed by the press
Grammar Patterns
out + person
out + person + as + identity
be outed by + person/source
Usage Note
Object is almost always a person, not a secret or piece of news. It often adds the identity with 'as' or the audience with a phrase like 'to coworkers'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 names the act of exposing someone, while sense 2 is about a truth or secret becoming public by itself.
Common Mistakes
2. to stop being hidden and become known to other people, especially in fixed expre
to stop being hidden and become known to other people, especially in fixed expressions such as 'the truth will out'.
The truth will out after enough people read the missing emails.
fixed pattern: the truth will out
In the old detective story, the killer's secret will out before dawn.
literary fixed pattern: secret will out
In small towns, the truth can out after one noisy dinner.
Sooner or later, the lie will out when the bank checks dates.
- the truth will out
- murder will out
- the lie will out
- secrets out
- remain secret
stays hidden from public knowledge
- stay hidden
emphasises that nobody finds out
Grammar Patterns
the truth will out
murder will out
secret/lie + will out
Usage Note
Usually appears with abstract subjects such as 'truth', 'secret', 'lie', or 'murder'. It is rare and somewhat literary, often with 'will'. In everyday English, many speakers would prefer 'come out' or 'be revealed'.
Common Mistakes
out — noun
1. a reason or chance that lets you avoid doing something awkward, difficult, or un
a reason or chance that lets you avoid doing something awkward, difficult, or unwanted.
The rain gave us an out, so we cancelled the picnic.
give someone an out
Nina needed an out before the awkward dinner with her ex.
need an out before an event
A fire drill offered the intern an out from the tense meeting.
When Mom called, Eva used that call as an out.
use something as an out
The broken printer became our out for missing the deadline.
- need an out
- give someone an out
- an easy out
- use that as an out
Grammar Patterns
need an out
have an out
give someone an out
use something as an out
Usage Note
Usually follows verbs such as 'need', 'have', 'give', or 'use'. It is common when someone wants a polite or convenient way to leave a duty, meeting, or social event.
Common Mistakes
2. a state of having argued with someone and no longer being friendly, used in the
a state of having argued with someone and no longer being friendly, used in the phrase 'on the outs'.
After the budget fight, Carla was on the outs with Ben.
be on the outs with + person
Jake and his brother stayed on the outs all summer.
Since the wedding argument, Mei has been on the outs with Aunt Rosa.
The coach is on the outs with half the team.
By Friday, the bakery owners were still on the outs over parking.
fixed phrase: on the outs
- on the outs with someone
- still on the outs
- be on the outs after an argument
- on bad terms
the closest everyday phrase and less idiomatic
- estranged
more formal and often used for longer or deeper breaks
- feuding
stronger and suggests open, continuing conflict
- on good terms
means the relationship is friendly
- reconciled
shows that the people have become friendly again
Grammar Patterns
be on the outs
be on the outs with + person
stay on the outs after + argument
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'on the outs', often followed by 'with' and the other person or group. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not mean a chance to escape; it describes a damaged relationship.
Common Mistakes
out — adjective
1. lying outside the main area or farther away from its centre.
lying outside the main area or farther away from its centre.
The ferry serves three out islands north of Okinawa every week.
out + islands for remote places
The doctor drove to the out farms beyond the last paved road.
Doctors flew medicine to the out villages after the storm.
out + villages / districts
The map marked several out districts around the old city.
- out islands
- out villages
- out farms
- out districts
Grammar Patterns
out + island / village / district
out + plural place noun
Usage Note
Usually appears before nouns for remote places or outer sections, such as islands, villages, and districts. In everyday modern English, 'outer' or 'outlying' is often more common.
Common Mistakes
2. not holding government power at the present time.
not holding government power at the present time.
The out party attacked the budget during the radio debate.
fixed political phrase: the out party
Voters listened closely when the out party promised lower taxes.
After the election, the out party chose Elena as leader.
Members of the out party criticised the new energy bill.
contrast with the in party
- the out party
- out party leader
- out party members
- opposition
the usual modern political term
- unelected
focuses on not winning office, not on the party role
- minority
describes having fewer seats, which is related but not identical
Grammar Patterns
the out party
out + political noun
Usage Note
Most often appears in political writing in the fixed phrase 'the out party', often contrasted with 'the in party'. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about not governing, not simply being away for a short time.
Common Mistakes
3. away from home, work, or another usual place for a time.
away from home, work, or another usual place for a time.
Dr. Chen is out this afternoon, so please call tomorrow.
be out + time expression
Our manager was out when the courier brought the contract.
The receptionist said Ms. Patel was out for lunch.
be out for lunch
Several staff are out sick after the office trip.
be out sick
- be out
- out for lunch
- out sick
- out today
- away
neutral and very common for temporary absence
- absent
more formal and often used in official contexts
- unavailable
focuses on not being reachable, not just not present
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out for lunch
be out sick
Usage Note
Common after 'be' in office, shop, and home situations. It usually suggests temporary absence, not permanent departure.
Common Mistakes
4. pointing away from the inside, or carrying something from inside to outside.
pointing away from the inside, or carrying something from inside to outside.
The plumber checked the out pipe that carries water to the drain.
technical label: out + pipe
Warm air escaped through the out vent above the bakery oven.
Workers swept grain away from the out chute before lunch.
out + chute / valve
The machine stopped when corn jammed near the out valve.
- out pipe
- out vent
- out chute
- out valve
Grammar Patterns
out + pipe / vent / valve
out + machine part noun
Usage Note
Mostly found before technical nouns such as pipe, vent, chute, and valve. In more general English, speakers often choose 'outward' or 'outgoing' instead.
Common Mistakes
5. unconscious, especially for a short time after a blow or fall.
unconscious, especially for a short time after a blow or fall.
After the fall, Marcus was out for nearly a minute.
be out for + time
The referee saw the boxer was out and stopped the fight.
By the time help came, the driver was out but breathing.
One hard hit left Leo out on the gym floor.
leave + object + out
- be out cold
- be out for a minute
- knock someone out
- unconscious
neutral and medical
- knocked out
very common when a blow causes the loss of consciousness
- senseless
more literary or dramatic
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out for + time
be out cold
Usage Note
Usually follows 'be' or appears after verbs such as 'leave' in accidents, fights, or sports. A stronger everyday phrase is 'out cold'.
Common Mistakes
6. no longer liked as a current style or fashion.
no longer liked as a current style or fashion.
The magazine says huge logos are out this year.
be out + time expression
Skinny ties went out after the spring fashion shows.
go out of fashion idea
That glitter phone case looks out beside newer designs.
Bright orange kitchens were out by the late 1990s.
- be out this year
- go out of fashion
- look out
- out style
- unfashionable
neutral and direct
- dated
suggests belonging to an earlier period
- old-fashioned
can be negative or charming depending on context
- in
common opposite in fashion talk
- fashionable
formal or neutral opposite
Grammar Patterns
be out
go out of fashion
look out
Usage Note
Often follows 'be', 'look', or 'go' in fashion talk. Distinguish from sense 7: here something is unfashionable, not impossible or ruled out.
Common Mistakes
7. Used for a choice, plan, or date that cannot happen or has already been rejected
Used for a choice, plan, or date that cannot happen or has already been rejected.
With Leo in the hospital, a beach trip this weekend is out.
be out = not possible
After the roof leak, buying a new sofa this month was out.
be out for rejecting a plan
Because of the strike, a midnight train was out for us.
be out for + person/group
For safety reasons, fireworks near the dry field are out.
- Friday is out
- that plan is out
- a taxi is out
- out for us
- impossible
states that something cannot happen, without the planning tone
- ruled out
stresses that a choice has been deliberately removed from consideration
- unworkable
focuses on a plan that does not function in practice
Grammar Patterns
be out
[plan/date/idea] is out
be out for + person/group
Usage Note
Usually appears after 'be', especially when people are discussing dates, plans, ideas, or choices. Common with 'for' to show whose option is impossible: 'Friday is out for me.'
Common Mistakes
8. Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is not kept private, because other people
Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is not kept private, because other people already know it.
Nina has been out to her parents since her first year at college.
be out to + person/group
Only two teachers were out at school before the new principal arrived.
be out at + place
After the interview, Marco said he was proudly out at work.
The actor was out for years before TV reporters asked about his partner.
be out for + period of time
- out to her parents
- out at work
- out at school
- openly out
Grammar Patterns
be out
be out to + family/friends
be out at + work/school
Usage Note
Most often used after 'be'. It commonly adds who knows with 'to' or the setting with 'at', as in 'out to her sister' and 'out at work'.
Common Mistakes
out — prefix
1. put before some nouns and adjectives to show that a place, area, or part lies be
put before some nouns and adjectives to show that a place, area, or part lies beyond the main centre of something.
The bus still serves the outlying villages after the mountain road reopens.
outlying + place beyond main area
Fans in left field cheered when the ball hit the outfield wall.
outfield = field area beyond the centre
A new shopping street is growing on the outskirts of Tainan.
Doctors from the main hospital visit the outlying clinic every Friday.
- outlying villages
- outfield wall
- the outskirts of a city
- an outpost clinic
- peripheral
formal; describes something on the edge of a larger whole
- outer
simpler and often used for physical position near the outside
- remote
focuses more on distance and isolation than on relation to a centre
Grammar Patterns
out- + noun
out- + adjective
Usage Note
Usually seen in fixed compounds such as 'outlying', 'outfield', 'outskirts', and 'outpost'. It places something around the edge of a larger whole, not moving away from it; for direction away from a place, compare sense 3.
Common Mistakes
2. put before some verbs to show doing more than someone or something else, going p
put before some verbs to show doing more than someone or something else, going past a limit, or staying ahead.
By age twelve, Noah had already outgrown his red winter boots.
outgrow = become too big for
At the gate, the waiting passengers outnumbered the airport staff.
outnumber = be more than
Our old radio outlasted three newer speakers in the kitchen.
Lina could outrun every boy in her class by sixth grade.
out- + verb meaning beat someone
The local shop outperformed big chains during the winter storm.
- outgrow your boots
- outnumber the staff
- outlast the battery
- outrun a classmate
- outperform big chains
- trail
to be behind another person, team, or amount
- lose to
focuses on failing against an opponent
- fall short of
means not reaching a target or standard
Grammar Patterns
out- + verb
out- + verb + object
Usage Note
Attached mainly to verbs of number, speed, length, or skill, such as 'outnumber', 'outrun', 'outlast', and 'outperform'. It normally sets one side against another; distinguish from sense 3, which is about direction away from a place.
Common Mistakes
3. put before some nouns and adjectives to show that something is outside a place o
put before some nouns and adjectives to show that something is outside a place or moving away from where it starts.
We ate lunch at the outdoor tables beside the old library.
outdoor = outside a building
The station moved all outbound buses to platform four after noon.
outbound = going away from a place
Please leave the signed forms in the blue outbox by noon.
Rainwater rushed through the outflow pipe behind the school gym.
- outdoor tables
- outbound buses
- blue outbox
- outflow pipe
Grammar Patterns
out- + noun
out- + adjective
Usage Note
Common in compounds about direction or location, such as 'outbound', 'outdoor', 'outbox', and 'outflow'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 points away from an inside or starting point, while sense 1 places something around the edge of a centre.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: adverb/3
For adverb sense 3, out is the normal everyday word when someone is temporarily not at home, in the office, or in their usual place: 'Mina is out right now.' Away is close, but it often suggests being farther from the usual place or being gone for a longer stretch: 'Dr. Lee is away this week.' Absent is more formal and is common in school, work, and official records rather than casual speech. Not in is a short spoken alternative, especially when answering a door or phone, but it is narrower and less flexible than out. Compare: 'Dad is out until six,' 'Our manager is away on business,' and 'Two students were absent on Monday.'
Etymology
Out comes from Old English ut, which already meant moving to the outside or being outside. It goes back to Proto-Germanic *ut and is related to Dutch uit and German aus. From that basic idea of going beyond an inside point, English later extended out to meanings such as being absent, visible, publicly known, finished, unconscious, or no longer fashionable. The prefix out- developed from the same source and kept the idea of going beyond, moving away from the centre, or doing more than someone or something else.