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

came out of retirement

a book that is out of print [=a book that is no longer being printed]

b(1)

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

out of control

went in to get out of the rain

(2)

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

out of practice

The big table looks out of place here.

settled the matter out of court [=settled by coming to an agreement without a trial or a decision by a judge]

The car came out of nowhere! [=the car was there suddenly and unexpectedly.]

2

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

a remarkable colt out of an ordinary mare

got the idea out of a book

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 a lack of something

Are we out of milk?

I ran out of time.

He was out of breath after running.

5

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

one out of four survived

6

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

runs her business out of her home

see also:

out of it

Examples of out of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the decade leading up to the pandemic, a study by the Atlantic Council found Pakistan to be one of only five developing economies, out of a sample of more than 60 countries, whose interest payments consumed more than 40% of its annual revenue intake. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 June 2026

According to Boy Scout leaders, the teens jumped into action and began helping fellow passengers by administering first aid and getting people out of the cars. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

That leaves the team third in Group C with three points, needing a draw or potentially a narrow loss against Brazil to make it out of the group. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Because a lot of anxiety has to do with a kind of feeling out of control. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for out of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

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