go out

verb

went out; gone out; going out; goes out

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go forth, abroad, or outdoors

specifically : to leave one's house

b(1)

: to take the field as a soldier

(2)

: to participate as a principal in a duel

c

: to travel as or as if a colonist or immigrant

d

: to work away from home

e

: to be sent from a person or a place

Our thoughts go out to the victims.

Warnings went out over the radio.

2

a

: to come to an end

March went out like a lamb.

b(1)

: to stop working

The engines went out.

(2)

: to stop shining or burning

The fire is going out.

c

: to give up office : resign

d

: to become obsolete or unfashionable

styles that went out long ago

e(1)

: to play the last card of one's hand

(2)

: to reach or exceed the total number of points required for game in cards

f

: to bring a performance to a close

The band went out with a solid rendition of another Allmans classic …

—Joel Silverstein

3

a

: to take part in social activities

made plans to go out for drinks

b

: to date someone romantically

They've been going out for about six months.

4

: to go on strike

5

: break, collapse

6

: to become a candidate

went out for the football team

Phrases

go out with a bang

: to die, end, or finish in a thrilling, forceful, or impressive way

Game of Thrones is known for its impressive production value, so it is understandable why HBO would want to go out with a bang, making the final episodes the biggest television has ever seen.

—Emily Murray

Synonyms of go out

• collapse
• go
• cave (in)

Examples of go out in a Sentence

there was concern that the dam would go out under the force of the flood waters

she enjoys going out on weekends, but during the week she's a homebody

Recent Examples on the Web

In Pennsylvania, full November benefits went out to some people on Friday. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025

Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch comedian, was living in Los Angeles in 2012 and going out for auditions. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025

On the basis of Manchester City’s last two league games, Guardiola’s usual positional rules seem to have gone out of the window. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

A lot of brands are suffering and going out of business because of all the turmoil. —Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for go out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

go out

verb

1

: to leave one's home

2

: to stop working

3

: to stop burning or glowing

4

: to become a candidate

went out for the football team

5

: to become obsolete or unfashionable

6

: to engage in social activities