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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reports have emerged of individuals quitting their jobs, selling possessions, and even pulling children out of school in preparation for the event. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 As well as the Hannibal incident at Burnley, maybe the most prominent recent example is when St James’ Park reacted to Anthony Gordon being sent off for pretty clearly taking a chunk out of Virgil van Dijk’s heel. Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025 Audiences watched Davis fall in and out of love and turn from high school cheerleader to business woman, spanning the course of the show's nine seasons. Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 So more and more families moved their retirement savings out of the hands of those active investors and into S&P 500 funds. Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for out of

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of out of was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Out of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out%20of. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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

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