out
out Lexical Profile
out Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not at home or at one's usual place of work; absent.
"The manager is out for the afternoon, but she will return tomorrow morning."
Published, released, or available to the public.
"Her new novel is finally out in bookstores this week."
Extinguished and no longer burning or shining.
"Please make sure the campfire is completely out before we leave the campsite."
No longer participating in a game or play, such as when a batter or runner is retired in baseball or cricket.
"The umpire ruled that the runner was out at second base."
Open about one's LGBTQ+ identity and no longer concealing it.
"He has been out to his family and friends since his first year of college."
• adverb
Moving or appearing to move away from a particular place, especially one that is enclosed or hidden.
"She walked out into the bright morning sunlight."
Away from one's home or usual base for social activities, recreation, or dining.
"We decided to eat out at an Italian restaurant to celebrate the occasion."
To the fullest extent, completion, or conclusion.
"Please hear me out before you make your final decision."
So as to be revealed, heard, or known publicly.
"The truth about the financial scandal finally came out during the audit."
Into a state of unconsciousness or deep sleep.
"After working a sixteen-hour shift, he passed out on the sofa."
• preposition
North American Through to the outside of; from the inside to the exterior of.
"She stared out the window at the falling snow."
• noun
In baseball or softball, a play in which a batter or base runner is retired from the game.
"The pitcher recorded the final out of the ninth inning with a fastball."
A means of escaping from a difficult situation, responsibility, or obligation; an excuse.
"The clause in the contract gave the company an easy out when market conditions deteriorated."
• interjection
Used as an abrupt command ordering someone or an animal to leave a room or area immediately.
"Out! I told you not to track muddy boots across the clean kitchen floor."
• verb
To reveal or expose the secret identity or sexual orientation of a person without their consent.
"The tabloid was widely criticized for attempting to out the young actor."
To become known or be revealed to the public (used especially of a secret or the truth).
"No matter how carefully they cover their tracks, the truth will out eventually."
Word Nuance & Usage
In standard British English, "out" is followed by "of" when functioning as a preposition before a noun phrase (e.g., "He looked out of the window"), whereas in informal American English "of" is frequently omitted (e.g., "He looked out the window").
• Rhymes for out
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English ūt ("out, without, outside"), from Proto-Germanic *ūt, ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *úd- meaning "up" or "out".