out of

preposition

1

a(1)

—used as a function word to indicate direction or movement from within to the outside of

walked out of the room

(2)

—used as a function word to indicate a change in quality, state, or form

woke up out of a deep sleep

b(1)

—used as a function word to indicate a position or situation beyond the range, limits, or sphere of

out of control

(2)

—used as a function word to indicate a position or state away from the usual or expected

out of practice

2

—used as a function word to indicate origin, source, or cause

a remarkable colt out of an ordinary mare

built out of old lumber

fled out of fear

3

—used as a function word to indicate exclusion from or deprivation of

cheated him out of his savings

out of breath

4

—used as a function word to indicate choice or selection from a group

one out of four survived

5

—used as a function word to indicate the center of an enterprise or activity

runs her business out of her home

Phrases

out of it

1

: not part of a group, activity, or fashion

2

: in a dazed or confused state

Examples of out of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The response continues: On Tuesday, the World Food Program delivered more than 14,000 hot meals to Haitians who have been forced out of their homes by the violence as well as 226,000 school lunches across the country. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

Arizona ranks 35th out of 47 states where calculation was possible for health system performance for Hispanic people, the report found. —Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

Soaring home and rent prices have eaten into incomes and priced some people out of the market. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

After the conversation ended, the juror was escorted out of the courtroom by court officers. —Ben Adler, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Some fans have developed a whole lexicon out of Swift lyrics. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024

Take the stress out of packing a hospital bag with these postpartum recovery kits. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024

Critics were given the first four episodes (out of six) to review. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024

The trailer then reveals Hartnett to be the killer, who is holding a victim hostage and now must find his way out of the concert venue. —Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

out of

preposition

1

a

: from within to the outside of

walked out of the room

b

—used to indicate a change in quality, state, or form

woke out of a deep sleep

c

: beyond the range or limits of

moved out of sight

2

: because of, from

fled out of fear

3

—used to indicate source, material, or cause

built out of old lumber

4

—used to indicate the state or condition of being without something especially that was there before

the store is out of bread

cheated us out of our savings

5

: from among

one out of four survived

6

—used to indicate the center of a business or activity

runs her business out of her home