out
gb/ˈaʊt/ us/ˈaʊt/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A1
relation
1
from inside to outside
Use "out" when someone or something moves from inside to outside, or is outside.
Usage pattern:
come/go/run/look/take/pull + out; out of + noun
Common mistake:
Use "out of + noun" when naming the place or container something leaves: "She took it out of her bag." In American English, "out + noun" is also common with words like "door" and "window."
Themes
core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|housing
Examples
- She opened the window and looked out.
- Please take the trash out before dinner.
- He pulled his keys out of his pocket.
Learner examples
- The dog ran out.
- Take the trash out.
- She looked out of the window.
adverb
A1
relation
2
away from home socially
If you are out, you are not at home, often because you are doing something socially.
Usage pattern:
go/be/stay + out; out for dinner; out with friends
Common mistake:
"Go out" often means leave home for social activities. "Go outside" usually means move to an outdoor place.
Themes
core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|relationships
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- We're going out for dinner tonight.
- She was out shopping when I called.
- They stayed out late after the concert.
Learner examples
- I went out with friends.
- Are you going out tonight?
- We stayed out late.
adverb
A2
relation
3
outward or into view
Use "out" when something moves or is put where it can be seen, opened, or stretched.
Usage pattern:
hold/stretch/spread/pull/come + out
Common mistake:
Do not use this sense only for leaving a building. It can also mean moving away from the body, center, or a hidden position.
Themes
core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|body
|nature
Examples
- She held out her hand to stop the bus.
- Spread the blanket out on the floor.
- The stars came out as the sky got dark.
Learner examples
- Stretch your arms out.
- Pull the drawer out.
- The sun came out.
adjective
A2
state
4
not present or available
If someone is out, they are not there or not available now.
Usage pattern:
be out; out of the office; out on a call
Common mistake:
Do not say "out from the office." Say "out of the office," "not in," or simply "out" when the place is clear.
Themes
core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|work
|communication
Examples
- The manager is out of the office until Tuesday.
- I'm out this morning, but I'll answer emails later.
- The doctor is out on an emergency call.
Learner examples
- She's out right now.
- I'll be out all afternoon.
- Is Mark out today?
adjective
A2
state
5
not working or burning
If a light, fire, machine, or service is out, it has stopped working or burning.
Usage pattern:
be out; the power/lights/internet/fire is out
Common mistake:
Use "out" for lights, fires, power, internet, and similar services when they are not working or not burning.
Themes
daily_life
|housing
|technology
Examples
- The power was out for most of the night.
- Make sure the campfire is out before you leave.
- Our internet is out again.
Learner examples
- The lights are out.
- The fire is out.
- The Wi-Fi is out.
adjective
B1
state
6
released or known
If a book, film, result, or piece of news is out, people can get it or know about it.
Usage pattern:
be out; come out; out now; out next week
Common mistake:
For books, films, music, products, and results, "out" means available or released. Do not usually say "open" with this meaning.
Themes
communication
|arts_entertainment
|education
|business
Examples
- Her new album is out next week.
- The test results are out now.
- Once the story was out, the company apologized.
Learner examples
- The new movie is out.
- The results are out today.
- The secret is out.
adjective
B1
state
7
excluded or not participating
If someone or something is out, they are not in a game, group, plan, or choice anymore.
Usage pattern:
be out; out of + competition/group; count someone out
Common mistake:
The opposite is often "in." "I'm out" can mean "I choose not to take part," depending on context.
Themes
core_vocabulary
|sports
|work
|society
Examples
- After the defeat, our team was out of the tournament.
- If the budget is cut, the trip is out.
- I'm out for this round; I need a break.
Learner examples
- Our team is out.
- Count me out.
- That plan is out.
adverb
B1
manner
8
completely or to the end
Use "out" with some verbs to mean completely, fully, or until the end.
Usage pattern:
verb + out, especially fill/write/clean/burn/run + out
Common mistake:
In many verb combinations, "out" changes the meaning of the verb. Learn common combinations such as "fill out," "write out," and "run out" as whole units.
Themes
core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|education
|work
Examples
- Write out your full address on the form.
- We cleaned out the garage before moving.
- Let the candle burn out by itself.
Learner examples
- Fill out this form.
- Write it out clearly.
- The battery ran out.
adjective
B2
state
9
openly LGBTQ+
If someone is out, they are open with other people about being LGBTQ+.
Usage pattern:
be out; out to someone; out at work/school
Common mistake:
This meaning is about identity and privacy, so context matters. It can be sensitive; avoid using it carelessly.
Themes
relationships
|society
Examples
- He wasn't out at work yet.
- She is out to her close friends but not to her parents.
- Many people feel safer coming out when they have support.
Learner examples
- She is out to her family.
- He isn't out at school.
- They are out and proud.
Verb
C1
action
10
reveal someone's LGBTQ+ identity
To out someone is to tell others that the person is LGBTQ+, often when they wanted to keep it private.
Usage pattern:
out someone; be outed; out someone as gay/trans/etc.
Common mistake:
The verb usually suggests revealing private information without consent. Use it carefully, and do not confuse it with the adjective "out."
Themes
communication
|relationships
|society
Examples
- The magazine was criticized for outing the singer.
- Never out someone without their permission.
- He was afraid of being outed at work.
Learner examples
- Don't out your friend.
- She was outed online.
- They outed him as gay.
Grammar
Dictionary form
out
IPA
GB/ˈaʊt/
US/ˈaʊt/
Syllables & stress
out (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (out)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: out
- Plural: outs
Word family
Forms
outs
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
check out
1/t͡ʃˈɛk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
examine closely or leave after paying
To look at something carefully; or to leave a hotel/store after paying.
Examples
- We have to check out by 11 a.m.
- You should check out that new café downtown.
- You can check out online without creating an account.
- We checked out of the hotel at noon.
check out
2/t͡ʃˈɛk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
Look at something with interest
To look at something carefully to see what it is like.
Examples
- Check out this new song I found!
- We should check out that new restaurant downtown.
check out
5/t͡ʃˈɛk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
look at or examine
To look at something or try it to see what it is like.
Examples
- Check out this app; it makes budgeting easier.
- I checked out the hotel reviews before I booked.
- You should check out the science museum while you're in town.
figure out
1/fˈɪɡjɚ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Find an answer by thinking carefully
To understand something or find the answer by thinking about it.
Examples
- I can't figure out how to use this app.
- She figured out the puzzle after an hour.
figure out
8/fˈɪɡjɚ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
understand or solve
To think until you understand the answer or solution.
Examples
- Can you figure out why the printer isn't connecting?
- We need to figure out how to pay for the repairs.
- He finally figured out the answer.
find out
1/fˈaɪnd ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
learn information after effort or inquiry
To get information about something, often by asking questions or looking for it.
Examples
- I need to find out what time the train leaves.
- She found out that he was lying.
find out
2/fˈaɪnd ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
discover information
To get information that you did not know before.
Examples
- I need to find out what time the train leaves.
- She found out about the surprise party by accident.
- We found out that the files had been deleted.
go out
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Leave home for social activity
To leave home to spend time with others for fun.
Examples
- We usually go out on Fridays.
- She went out for dinner with friends.
go out
3/ɡˈoʊ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
leave home socially
To leave home to meet people, eat, drink, watch a movie, or do something fun.
Examples
- Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?
- We stayed in last weekend, but we're going out on Saturday.
- She often goes out with friends after work.
out of
1/ˈaʊt əv/
fixed phrase
from; due to; lacking
Shows where something comes from, why it happens, or that there is none left.
Examples
- He spoke out of anger.
- We are out of milk.
out of
1/ˈaʊt əv/
fixed phrase
having no more
If you are out of something, you do not have any left.
Examples
- We're out of milk, so I'll stop at the store.
- The pharmacy is out of that medicine right now.
- I'm almost out of space on my phone.
run out of
1/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
Use all of something up
To finish all of something and have no more left.
Examples
- We ran out of milk this morning.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy some.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll buy more.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy more.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy some more.
- We’ve run out of milk, so I need to go to the store.
- We've run out of milk, so I need to go shopping.
- We ran out of water during the hike.
- They ran out of time before finishing the exam.
- He ran out of time before finishing the test.
- She ran out of time during the exam.
- She ran out of time before finishing the test.
- The printer ran out of paper during the meeting.
- I can't print because I've run out of paper.
- He ran out of money before the end of the month.
- She ran out of patience and left the meeting.
- She ran out of time before finishing the exam.
- Hurry up, we’re running out of time!
- The printer ran out of ink in the middle of the job.
- If we keep spending like this, we’ll run out of money by next month.
run out of
4/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
use all of a supply
To have no more of something because it has all been used.
Examples
- We ran out of time before the last question.
- The car ran out of gas on the highway.
- Don't forget to order more cups; we're running out of cups.
turn out
6/tˈɚn ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
prove to be
Used when the result or truth becomes clear later.
Examples
- The test turned out to be easier than I expected.
- It turned out that our flight was delayed.
- I was worried about the event, but it turned out well.
work out
1/wˈɚk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Solve or understand something by thinking
To find an answer or understand something by thinking about it.
Examples
- We need to work out how much it will cost.
- It took me an hour to work out the problem.
work out
7/wˈɚk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
exercise
To do physical exercise, often at a gym or at home.
Examples
- I work out at the gym before work.
- She started working out to feel stronger.
- If you don't have equipment, you can work out at home.