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

From there, the comedy grows naturally out of the quirks and challenges of trying to revive a struggling newsroom. —Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Watkin is just one out of the thousands of Hoosier educators who have suffered injuries due to student violence. —IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

So far, she’s been able to recover around 350 out of roughly 1,200 works. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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