Language Research

out · adverb

/ɑʊt/Full view

out (SOCIAL ACTIVITY)

A2 used to refer to a period of time when someone goes away from home for a social activity

Dictionary examples:

He's out nearly every night.

He asked me out to see a movie next week.

Learner example:

After the film, we can have dinner out. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

out (NOT THERE)

A2 not in the place where you usually live or work, especially for a short time

Dictionary examples:

I came by to see you this morning, but you were out.

Someone called looking for you while you were out.

Learner example:

Will you give [it] back to my father because I am out for a while. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

out (AWAY FROM INSIDE)

B1 used to show movement away from the inside of a place or container

Dictionary examples:

Get out!

She opened the window and stuck her head out.

The bag burst and the apples fell out.

He opened the drawer and took out a pair of socks.

My secretary will see you out.

Learner example:

When I was on the plane, I decided to open my suitcase to take out my CD player because I was bored. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

out (APPEAR)

B1 able to be seen

Dictionary examples:

The stars are out tonight.

The rain stopped and the sun came out.

The flowers are starting to come out.

Learner example:

In the beginning it was raining a little bit, but then the sun came out. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

out (LIGHT/FIRE)

B2 If a light or fire is out, it is no longer shining or burning.

Dictionary examples:

When we got home, all the lights were out.

Is that fire completely out?

Learner example:

I looked out through the window to check if the lights were out in the windows of the block of flats next to ours. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

out (AVAILABLE)

B1 available to buy or see

Dictionary examples:

Is the new Harry Potter book out yet?

The new Tarantino movie comes out in August.

Learner example:

It came out just yesterday. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

out (DISAPPEAR)

B1 to the point where something is removed or disappears

Dictionary examples:

The stain won't come out.

Cross out any words that are not on the list.

Learner example:

A friend of mine told me, when he was in Lampton, that you couldn't have special rates for students at Hotel Royal, so you should cross [that information] out of the guide. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

out loud

B1 If you say or read something out loud, you say or read it so that other people can hear you.

Dictionary example:

I had to read the essay out loud in front of the whole school.

Learner example:

She wouldn't accept it so I read [it] out loud for her to hear: "Director, Jason Meyer, and producer, Sami Woods, are receiving...". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

out (FAR AWAY)

C2 a long distance away from land, a town or your own country

Dictionary examples:

The fishing boats were out at sea for three days.

They live out in the country, miles from anywhere.

Learner example:

Today I live out in the country. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Romansch)

down and out

C2 having no money, no luck and no opportunities

Dictionary example:

Nobody loves you when you're down and out.

Learner example:

The neglect of social security as a vital point in state policies leaves homeless people down and out, with little chance for improving their bleak prospects. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

the ins and outs of sth

C2 the details of a particular subject

Dictionary example:

the ins and outs of the legal system

Learner example:

I knew all the ins and outs of every story but I couldn't stay one single day in bed without reading it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

the jury is (still) out

C2 If the jury is (still) out on a subject, people do not yet know the answer or have a definite opinion about it.

Dictionary example:

The jury's still out on whether these vitamins protect against cancer.

Learner example:

I think that the jury is still out on the effects of television and other media. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

go out of your way to do sth

C2 to try very hard to do something pleasant for someone

Dictionary example:

He went out of his way to make us feel welcome.

get/have sth out of the way

C2 to finish a task or to get rid of something unpleasant

Dictionary example:

I'll go shopping when I've got this essay out of the way.

Learner example:

It was a joyful reunion and everybody was grateful to have all misunderstandings out of the way and to be one big family once more. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)