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

Amid Trump’s trade deal victory lap, white smoke plumed out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling the papal conclave elected a new pope. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Democrats argue that ruling creates precedent for revisiting the U.S. House maps, which currently give Republicans control of six out of eight districts. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

This is all money siphoned out of the pockets of individuals and businesses by criminals. —Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Toronto scored on its third power play, with forward Max Pacioretty scoring late in the first period after Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was called for a delay of game after shooting a puck out of play. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 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