Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

out of sync

idiom

Definition of out of sync

1 : in a state in which two or more people or things do not move or happen together at the same time and speed
  • Some of the soldiers were marching out of sync.
  • The soundtrack was out of sync so they stopped the film.
—often + with
  • She was out of sync with the other dancers.
2 : in a state in which two or more people or things do not agree with or match one another
  • I don't know the exact time. All the clocks in the office are out of sync.
—often + with
  • His actions are completely out of sync with our goals.

Word by Word Definitions

out play

  1. : in a direction away from the inside or center

  2. : outside

  3. : from among others

  1. : eject, oust

  2. : to identify publicly as being such secretly

  3. : to become publicly known

  1. used as a function word to indicate an outward movement

  1. : situated outside : external

  2. : out-of-bounds

  3. : situated at a distance : outlying

  1. : outside

  2. : one who is out of office or power or on the outside

  3. : an act or instance of putting a player out or of being put out in baseball

  1. : in a manner that exceeds or surpasses and sometimes overpowers or defeats

See the full definition of out
sync play

  1. : synchronize

  1. : synchronization, synchronism

See the full definition of sync

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up out of sync? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games