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 The channel is anchored out of the U.S., U.K. and Singapore. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 The number may even be higher as Dr. Stewart believes PFDs affect as many as 1 out of 3 women. Kristina Behr, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Half empty: Everyone said almost the same thing about Bob Melvin, who was nudged out of the door and has shuffled over to the division-rival Giants. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 An enhanced risk is a level three out of five for severity, the weather service said. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2024 Deep Sea Vision’s chief executive officer, Tony Romeo, a former real estate entrepreneur out of Charleston, S.C., had a plan. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The bill, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week. Clare Duffy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Aron Barbell's sandbag landed on the $45,000 target, knocking Mattina out of the bottom two. Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 The Hermit: There is a sense of chaos and confusion happening for you that is out of your control. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'out of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of out of was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near out of

Cite this Entry

“Out of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out%20of. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

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