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

Swedish meatballs at an IKEA in Causeway Bay is listed as out of stock after after Czech authorities detected horse meat in the company's meatballs which are supposed to make up of pork and beef only. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 June 2025

Although the Steelers' playoff run was short, Wilson started in his 17th postseason game as the Steelers looked to make it out of the Wild Card round. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Residents noted that one of the maintenance workers, named Carlos, went back several times trying to get animals out of the building with just a rag covering his mouth and nose. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2025

These efforts are evidence that Republicans and Democrats understand the only way to address our housing shortfall is to build our way out of it. —Len Wolfson, Boston Herald, 25 June 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