1
a(1)
: in a direction away from the inside or center
went out into the garden
(2)
: outside
it's raining out
b
: from among others
c
: away from the shore
d
: away from home or work
out to lunch
e
: away from a particular place
2
a
: so as to be missing or displaced from the usual or proper place
left a word out
threw his shoulder out
b
: into the possession or control of another
lend out money
c
: into a state of loss or defeat
was voted out
d
: into a state of vexation
they do not mark me, and that brings me out—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
e
: into groups or shares
sorted out her notes
parceled out the farm
3
a
: to the point of depletion, extinction, or exhaustion
the food ran out
turn the light out
all tuckered out
b
: to completion or satisfaction
hear me out
work the problem out
c
: to the full or a great extent or degree
all decked out
stretched out on the floor
4
a
: in or into the open
the sun came out
b
: out loud
cried out
c
: in or into public circulation
the evening paper isn't out yet
hand out pamphlets
the library book is still out
5
a
: at an end
before the day is out
b
: in or into an insensible or unconscious state
she was out cold
c
: in or into a useless state
landed the plane with one engine out
d
: so as to end the offensive turn of another player, a side, or oneself in baseball
threw him out
fly out
6
—used on a two-way radio circuit to indicate that a message is complete and no reply is expected
outed; outing; outs
1
transitive
: to identify (someone) publicly as being such secretly
Ever feel as if your achievements are a fluke or that you're one conversation away from being outed as a fraud?—Gillian Fox
Gillian FoxFoster … was the man who outed the journalist Joe Klein as the author of the novel "Primary Colors."—Walter Kirn
Walter Kirn
especially
: to reveal the covert sexual orientation or gender identity of (someone)
outed her to her coworkers
In our case, a cross-section of writers and editors—male and female, gay and straight—agreed that it would be inappropriate to "out" this Pentagon official. —Richard Goldstein
Richard Goldstein 2
intransitive
: to become publicly known
the truth will out
Murder will out.
3
transitive
: to put out : to eject (someone) from a place, office, or possession : expel
During the suppression, we privately kept outed vicars as chaplains and attended secret Anglican services …—Rose Macaulay
Rose Macaulay
—used as a function word to indicate an outward movement
ran out the door
looked out the window
1
a
: situated outside : external
b
2
: situated at a distance : outlying
the out islands
3
: not being in power
4
: absent
5
: removed by the defense from play as a batter or base runner in a baseball inning
two men out
6
: directed outward or serving to direct something outward
the out basket
7
: not being in vogue or fashion
8
: not to be considered : out of the question
9
: determined sense 1
was out to get revenge
10
: engaged in or attempting a particular activity
won on his first time out
11
: having one's LGBTQ sexual orientation or gender identity publicly known
an out trans person
wasn't out during college
1
: outside
2
: one who is out of office or power or on the outside
a matter of outs versus ins
3
a
: an act or instance of putting a player out or of being put out in baseball
b
: a player that is put out
4
: a way of escaping from an embarrassing or difficult situation
: in a manner that exceeds or surpasses and sometimes overpowers or defeats
outmaneuver
Synonyms
Adverb
Verb
Adjective
- bent (on or upon)
- bound
- decisive
- determined
- do-or-die
- firm
- hell-bent (on or upon)
- intent
- purposeful
- resolute
- resolved
- set
- single-minded
Noun
Examples of out in a Sentence
Adverb
He went out to the garden.
He looked out at the snow.
She poured the tea out.
The girl stuck her tongue out.
His shirttail was hanging out.
I heard a noise in the bushes and out jumped a cat!
He waited out in the hall.
I cleaned my car inside and out.
A car pulled up and two men got out.
He grabbed his coat and out he went.
Verb
a gay actor who was outed in a magazine article
He is threatening to out other players who have used steroids.
Adjective
he's out to get even with the guy who beat him last time around
half the staff is out with the flu
Noun
The play resulted in an out.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, he hit a home run to win the game.
He changed the wording of the contract to give himself an out.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebKirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
For instance, colorectal screening is considered one of the best tests out there for both preventing and reducing death from the disease.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 22 Sep. 2023
There are so many options out there, and unfortunately, many of them just don’t work that well.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023
The American Kennel Club advises house hunters looking for a dog-friendly neighborhood to visit the area early in the morning, while dogs are out with owners for pre-work walks.
—Tom Peterson, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
The clearest blue waves rolled in and out, crashing onto the sand as the water lapped at my toes.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Within thirty minutes of the start time, both levels of the lounge were suddenly bustling with guests who seemed to have recovered from the New York Fashion Week exhaustion and were excited to get back out into the scene.
—Florence O'Connor, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
If that sounds a little far out, recall the child playing with her toys: an intrinsic element of her play is her summoning of life to those toys, seeing them as animated.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2023
There won’t be any late charge, not with the Sox seven games out in the wild card race and the season down to its final 2½ weeks.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
Jake Zuckerman, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2023
Reunited at last, the siblings’ first outing together was nearly their last.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
Unfortunately, Jenna didn't have much time to process it before she was outed in the press.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
On occasion, as when Nick holds back from outing the series’ closeted villain (Sebastian Croft), it might even be called ingenious.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
However, 44% of those surveyed did not report these incidences due to fear of being outed.
—Misha Valencia, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
In what seems to be a decision that stems from jealousy, Ramos is the one who outs Alex and Henry in the film, a very different take compared to the book’s version).
—Sean Abrams, Men's Health, 11 Aug. 2023
If a spectral sound is supposed to come from beyond the grave, what word might characterize the babble of embryonic life, the noises of beings too tenuous to out themselves from their shell?
—Rebecca Giggs, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2023
Like Charlie, who once faced bullying after being outed, many of the protagonists in this otherwise cheery subgenre have trauma in their past.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2023
As the season’s last warm breeze blows down E Street, here’s one to play it out.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2023
Almost no settlements are paid out by the police officers accused of misconduct, researchers and data show.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2023
The two of them, Lily and Ruth, sit it out together for a while and keep one another functioning in their modest, miraculous way.
—Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023
The fear of an unseen chain of transmission out in the community, though, had diminished.
—WIRED, 22 Sep. 2023
The single has become a breakout hit from the LP and was shouted out by Barack Obama on his 2023 Summer Playlist.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023
Although a simple green salad and some cornbread on the side would round out the meal nicely.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
The last step before heading out the door is tossing on some makeup.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2023
Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks
Our rating: False
The post uses an out-of-context clip of Schwab discussing possible misuse of AI.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023
The catalyst for South Australia’s new law is the 2019 death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was struck and killed by an out-of-control Lamborghini Huracán.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2023
The Guardians wanted to challenge Remillard’s catch and the out call at first, but their 15 seconds expired.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 30 July 2023
Soccer player Quinn made history when the Canada midfielder became the first out transgender athlete to play in a FIFA World Cup this year.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 July 2023
Australia has the most out players, at 10, and Brazil and Ireland come in close seconds, with nine out players each, according to Outsports.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 July 2023
But the community is becoming visible — California now has an out Asian American congressman and state legislators — and partying in person remains an important way to connect, even in an online age.
—Jeong Park, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2023
Here are the other current and former out LGBTQ world leaders.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 10 July 2023
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
Garver, batting with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, fouled off the first pitch of the at-bat from Toronto’s Kevin Gausman, then lined a ball towards the gap in left-center.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023
The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth on Soto’s double, Machado’s single and Bogaerts’ walk, but Lynn minimized damage by retiring Trent Grisham on an RBI fielder’s choice (a bunt to third), Matthew Batten on a fly to right and Brett Sullivan on a fly to left.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Making his major-league debut off the bench Monday night at Coors Field in Colorado, top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong came to the plate with a runner on first and no outs in the ninth inning, after the Cubs had taken a one-run lead over the Rockies.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Wide outs Campbell, Hyatt and Sterling Shepard should get a lot of single coverage.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2023
Turner has come to the plate with a runner in scoring position and less than two outs 38 times this season and driven in 33 runs.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Starting pitcher Dean Kremer delivered another quality start with six innings of one-run ball, and Anthony Santander delivered a go-ahead, three-run double with two outs in the seventh inning to break the tie.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 29 Aug. 2023
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson jogged out from the bullpen to replace Ohtani — who recorded four outs, two by strikeout — on the mound and Nolan Schanuel came in to pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the third inning.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023
See More
Adverb
No this is not the start of anything out there, just want u to know there’s a light on inside me .. show it to you soon.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
For instance, colorectal screening is considered one of the best tests out there for both preventing and reducing death from the disease.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 22 Sep. 2023
There are so many options out there, and unfortunately, many of them just don’t work that well.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023
The American Kennel Club advises house hunters looking for a dog-friendly neighborhood to visit the area early in the morning, while dogs are out with owners for pre-work walks.
—Tom Peterson, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
The clearest blue waves rolled in and out, crashing onto the sand as the water lapped at my toes.
—Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Within thirty minutes of the start time, both levels of the lounge were suddenly bustling with guests who seemed to have recovered from the New York Fashion Week exhaustion and were excited to get back out into the scene.
—Florence O'Connor, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
If that sounds a little far out, recall the child playing with her toys: an intrinsic element of her play is her summoning of life to those toys, seeing them as animated.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2023
There won’t be any late charge, not with the Sox seven games out in the wild card race and the season down to its final 2½ weeks.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
Verb
The latter two companies were later outed in a Buzzfeed News investigation for deploying similar tactics on the scale of millions as the Federal Communications Commission deliberated the then high-profile issue of net neutrality.
—Jake Zuckerman, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2023
Reunited at last, the siblings’ first outing together was nearly their last.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
Unfortunately, Jenna didn't have much time to process it before she was outed in the press.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
On occasion, as when Nick holds back from outing the series’ closeted villain (Sebastian Croft), it might even be called ingenious.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
However, 44% of those surveyed did not report these incidences due to fear of being outed.
—Misha Valencia, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
In what seems to be a decision that stems from jealousy, Ramos is the one who outs Alex and Henry in the film, a very different take compared to the book’s version).
—Sean Abrams, Men's Health, 11 Aug. 2023
If a spectral sound is supposed to come from beyond the grave, what word might characterize the babble of embryonic life, the noises of beings too tenuous to out themselves from their shell?
—Rebecca Giggs, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2023
Like Charlie, who once faced bullying after being outed, many of the protagonists in this otherwise cheery subgenre have trauma in their past.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
Preposition
But a different way to introduce some much welcome complexity, one that retains the soul of the drink, is to swap out some of the ingredients.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2023
As the season’s last warm breeze blows down E Street, here’s one to play it out.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2023
Almost no settlements are paid out by the police officers accused of misconduct, researchers and data show.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2023
The two of them, Lily and Ruth, sit it out together for a while and keep one another functioning in their modest, miraculous way.
—Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023
The fear of an unseen chain of transmission out in the community, though, had diminished.
—WIRED, 22 Sep. 2023
The single has become a breakout hit from the LP and was shouted out by Barack Obama on his 2023 Summer Playlist.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023
Although a simple green salad and some cornbread on the side would round out the meal nicely.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
The last step before heading out the door is tossing on some makeup.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
Adjective
The Guardians have been on the wrong end of these calls a couple of times over the last two seasons, but this time the replay umpires in New York upheld the out call.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2023
Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks
Our rating: False
The post uses an out-of-context clip of Schwab discussing possible misuse of AI.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023
The catalyst for South Australia’s new law is the 2019 death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was struck and killed by an out-of-control Lamborghini Huracán.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2023
The Guardians wanted to challenge Remillard’s catch and the out call at first, but their 15 seconds expired.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 30 July 2023
Soccer player Quinn made history when the Canada midfielder became the first out transgender athlete to play in a FIFA World Cup this year.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 July 2023
Australia has the most out players, at 10, and Brazil and Ireland come in close seconds, with nine out players each, according to Outsports.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 July 2023
But the community is becoming visible — California now has an out Asian American congressman and state legislators — and partying in person remains an important way to connect, even in an online age.
—Jeong Park, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2023
Here are the other current and former out LGBTQ world leaders.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 10 July 2023
Noun
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs when Banks got Willi Castro to pop out to first baseman Andrew Vaughn to secure the win.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
Garver, batting with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, fouled off the first pitch of the at-bat from Toronto’s Kevin Gausman, then lined a ball towards the gap in left-center.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023
The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth on Soto’s double, Machado’s single and Bogaerts’ walk, but Lynn minimized damage by retiring Trent Grisham on an RBI fielder’s choice (a bunt to third), Matthew Batten on a fly to right and Brett Sullivan on a fly to left.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Making his major-league debut off the bench Monday night at Coors Field in Colorado, top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong came to the plate with a runner on first and no outs in the ninth inning, after the Cubs had taken a one-run lead over the Rockies.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Wide outs Campbell, Hyatt and Sterling Shepard should get a lot of single coverage.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2023
Turner has come to the plate with a runner in scoring position and less than two outs 38 times this season and driven in 33 runs.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Starting pitcher Dean Kremer delivered another quality start with six innings of one-run ball, and Anthony Santander delivered a go-ahead, three-run double with two outs in the seventh inning to break the tie.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 29 Aug. 2023
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson jogged out from the bullpen to replace Ohtani — who recorded four outs, two by strikeout — on the mound and Nolan Schanuel came in to pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the third inning.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adverb and Prefix
Middle English, from Old English ūt; akin to Old High German ūz out, Greek hysteros later, Sanskrit ud up, out
First Known Use
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Preposition
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of out was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near out
Cite this Entry
“Out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
out
1 of 6 adverb1
a
: in a direction away from the inside, center, or surface
look out of a window
b
: outdoors entry 1
it's raining out
c
2
: from among others
picked out a hat
3
: away from home, business, or the usual or proper place
out to lunch
left a word out
4
: into a state of loss or defeat
was voted out of office
5
: into the possession or control of another
lent out money
6
: into groups or shares
sorted out her notes
7
a
: so as to be exhausted, completed, or discontinued
the food ran out
the light burned out
b
: at an end
before the week is out
8
a
: in or into the open
the sun came out
b
: aloud
cried out
9
a
: to completion or satisfaction
work the problem out
b
: to the full or a great extent or degree
stretched out on the floor
all decked out
10
: so as to put out or be put out in baseball
the catcher threw the runner out
grounded out to shortstop
out
2 of 6 verb
: to become known
the truth will out
out
3 of 6 preposition(ˌ)au̇t
—used to indicate an outward movement
ran out the door
looked out the window
out
4 of 6 adjectiveˈau̇t
1
a
: located outside or at a distance
the out islands
b
2
: not being in power
the out party
3
: not allowed to continue batting, to occupy a base, or to score in baseball
the runner was out
4
: directed outward or directing something outward
put the letter in the out basket
5
: absent entry 1 sense 1, missing
a basket with its bottom out
6
: no longer in fashion
that style of pants is definitely out
7
: not to be considered
that choice was out as far as we were concerned
8
: determined sense 1
was out to get revenge
9
: engaged in or attempting a particular activity
won on his first time out
out
5 of 6 nounˈau̇t
1
: one who is out of power
2
a
: the putting out of a batter or base runner in baseball
b
: a player who has been put out
3
: a way of escaping from an embarrassing situation or a difficulty
out-
6 of 6 prefix
: in a manner that goes beyond
outmaneuver
Etymology
Prefix
derived from out (adverb)
More from Merriam-Webster on out
Nglish: Translation of out for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of out for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about out
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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