out

/aʊt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈaʊt] /aʊt/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈaʊt] /ˈau̇t/ (ame, mw) · /aʊt-/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈaʊt] /aʊt-/ (ame, ipa)

out — 副詞

1. moving from the inner part of a room, container, or hidden place to the outside.

1.副詞B1
釋義

出來；出去

從裡面往外移動

moving from the inner part of a room, container, or hidden place to the outside.

例句

Maya pulled the cake out of the oven with thick gloves.

Maya 戴著厚手套，把蛋糕從烤箱裡拿出來。

out of + container/place

A small frog jumped out when Leo opened the garden box.

Leo 打開花園裡的箱子時，一隻小青蛙跳了出來。

come/go/jump + out

同義詞
  • outside

    common after verbs like 'go' or 'step', with less focus on the point of exit

  • away

    broader and less tied to leaving an inside space

反義詞
  • in

    shows movement or position on the inside

  • inside

    more explicit when the location matters

文法句型

come/go/get + out

out of + place/container

用法筆記

With a named room, box, or building, English usually adds 'of': 'out of the kitchen', 'out of the box'. Without a following noun, plain 'out' is often enough.

常見錯誤

❌Maya took the cake out the oven.
✅Maya took the cake out of the oven.
💡When the place is named, 'out' usually needs 'of' before it.

2. in the open air or beyond the walls of a room or building.

2.副詞A2
釋義

在外面

在房間或建築物外

in the open air or beyond the walls of a room or building.

例句

The children are out in the yard, building a snow rabbit.

孩子們都在外面院子裡堆一隻雪兔。

be + out + in + place

Marcus waited out by the gate while the nurse called his name.

Marcus 在外面大門旁等著，護士叫了他的名字。

同義詞
  • outside

    the closest general equivalent for location

  • outdoors

    emphasises open air more than simply being beyond a room

反義詞
  • in

    the ordinary opposite for being inside

  • indoors

    specifically contrasts with the open air

文法句型

be/stay + out

out + in/by + place

用法筆記

Usually follows 'be', 'stay', 'wait', or another simple verb of position. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 shows movement; sense 2 shows location.

常見錯誤

❌The children are out of the house playing in the yard.
✅The children are out in the yard.
💡'out of the house' stresses leaving the house; this sense describes where they are now.

3. temporarily somewhere else instead of being at home or in your normal workplace.

3.副詞A2
釋義

外出；不在

暫時不在住家或工作地

temporarily somewhere else instead of being at home or in your normal workplace.

例句

Mr. Chen is out until lunch, so please call again later.

陳先生外出到午餐前才會回來，請晚點再打。

be + out + time phrase

Maya was out when the plumber came to fix the sink.

水電工來修水槽時，Maya 不在家。

同義詞
  • away

    slightly broader and common for absence from home or work

  • absent

    more formal and common in notices or official language

反義詞
  • in

    often used in offices to mean present

  • back

    used when the person has returned

文法句型

be + out

out + until/today/this morning

用法筆記

Common with people, offices, and phones: 'Mr. Chen is out', 'the manager is out today'. Distinguish from sense 4, which usually adds a social purpose, and sense 5, which points to work duties elsewhere.

常見錯誤

❌My manager is out from the office today.
✅My manager is out of the office today.
💡Before a named workplace, use 'out of', not 'out from'.

4. away from home because you are meeting people or doing something for fun.

4.副詞A2
釋義

出去玩

因聚會或娛樂而在外

away from home because you are meeting people or doing something for fun.

例句

Emma and Raj are out tonight for dinner and a jazz show.

Emma 和 Raj 今晚出去玩，要吃晚餐再去聽爵士樂。

out + tonight/for + social plan

My parents stayed out late after their friend's birthday party.

我爸媽參加朋友生日派對後，玩到很晚才回家。

同義詞
  • away

    can mean not at home, but does not itself imply fun or social plans

  • out and about

    more lively and suggests moving around rather than one plan

反義詞
  • in

    used for staying at home rather than going out

文法句型

be + out + tonight/late

go out + with/for + social event

用法筆記

Often followed by time or company phrases: 'out tonight', 'out with friends', 'out for dinner'. Distinguish from sense 3 (simply absent) and sense 5 (away for work).

常見錯誤

❌My parents are outside tonight.
✅My parents are out tonight.
💡'outside' means in the open air; this sense means away from home for social plans.

5. working somewhere other than your usual office as part of your job.

5.副詞B1
釋義

出差；外勤

因公離開主要辦公室工作

working somewhere other than your usual office as part of your job.

例句

Priya is out in Tainan this week, visiting school clients.

Priya 這週在台南跑外勤，拜訪學校客戶。

out + in + place for work travel

Our sales director is out at the Taichung factory all morning.

我們的業務主管整個早上都在工廠跑外勤。

out + at + work location

同義詞
  • away

    broader and less clearly tied to work duties

  • travelling

    fits when the work requires going to another place, especially a different city

反義詞
  • in

    used in offices for being present at the main workplace

  • at desk

    informal contrast when someone is working in the office

文法句型

be + out + at/on/in + work place

be + out + visiting/training + object

用法筆記

Often used in office language: 'out at the factory', 'out on site', 'out visiting clients'. Distinguish from sense 3 if the absence is personal rather than job-related.

常見錯誤

❌Lina is outside the office today for a client visit.
✅Lina is out of the office today for a client visit.
💡'outside the office' sounds physical; this pattern means away on work business.

6. used in libraries to say a book or similar item has been borrowed and is not on

6.副詞B1
釋義

借走了

圖書館資料已被別人借出

used in libraries to say a book or similar item has been borrowed and is not on the shelf.

例句

That history book is out until Friday, so you cannot renew it.

那本歷史書借到星期五才會歸還，所以你不能續借。

library item + be out

The novel you wanted is out, but two copies return tomorrow.

你想借的那本小說借走了，不過明天有兩本會歸還。

同義詞
  • borrowed

    states the result directly, without the library shorthand

  • checked out

    common especially in North American library language

反義詞
  • in

    used by library staff for an item that has been returned

  • on the shelf

    describes the book as available in the library building

文法句型

book/item + be + out

still/out until + time

用法筆記

Library-only. Distinguish from later senses where 'out' means available to the public or no longer kept secret; here it means another reader has borrowed the item.

常見錯誤

❌That history book is outside.
✅That history book is out.
💡In a library, 'out' means borrowed by someone else, not physically outdoors.

7. so that something is no longer there because it has been taken away, cleaned off

7.副詞B1
釋義

去掉；移開

使某物不再留在原處

so that something is no longer there because it has been taken away, cleaned off, or lost from its place.

例句

Mina rubbed the marker out before the teacher checked the board.

Mina 在老師檢查白板前，把記號去掉了。

rub + noun + out for removing marks

One button dropped out of the coat on the train.

大衣的一顆鈕扣在火車上掉了出來。

drop out of + place

同義詞
  • away

    works for movement from a place, but not for erasing or cleaning marks

  • off

    common when something is removed from a surface

  • free

    fits cases where something is released from where it was fixed

反義詞
  • in

    shows that something stays inside or in position

  • on

    fits marks or things that remain attached to a surface

文法句型

rub/wipe + noun + out

cross + noun + out

wash + noun + out

drop/fall out of + place

用法筆記

Often follows a verb that removes a mark, part, or object from where it was. Distinguish from sense 8: here something is physically or visibly taken away, not simply unavailable.

常見錯誤

❌We are out of sugar from the cupboard.
✅We took the sugar out of the cupboard.
💡sense 7 is about removing something; 'be out of' belongs to sense 8 and means none is left.

8. used when a person, machine, shop, or place has none of something left.

8.副詞B2
釋義

用完；缺貨

某人或某處已沒有剩下

used when a person, machine, shop, or place has none of something left.

例句

We're out of eggs, so Dad cooked noodles instead.

我們的雞蛋用完了，所以爸爸改煮麵。

be out of + noun

By Friday afternoon, the bakery was out of cheese rolls.

到了週五下午，那家麵包店的起司麵包已經缺貨了。

同義詞
  • used up

    stresses that all of something has been consumed

  • gone

    informal and broad, but less clear about stock or supply

  • unavailable

    more formal and can include reasons other than exhaustion

反義詞
  • in stock

    used for shops or supplies that are available

  • available

    the broad opposite when something can still be obtained or used

文法句型

be out of + noun

shop/office/printer is out of + noun

用法筆記

Usually comes after 'be' and often takes 'of' before the missing item. Distinguish from sense 7: sense 8 does not describe taking something away, only having none remaining.

常見錯誤

❌The cafe is out the bread.
✅The cafe is out of bread.
💡this pattern normally needs 'of' before the thing that has run out.

9. in games such as cricket or baseball, finished and no longer taking part because

9.副詞
釋義

出局

在球類比賽中輪次已結束

in games such as cricket or baseball, finished and no longer taking part because that turn or play has ended.

例句

After the quick catch, Ravi was out and had to sit down.

那次快接之後，Ravi 就出局了，只能坐下。

be out after a catch

At forty-two runs, Mei was out, so Hana took the bat.

Mei 打到四十二分時出局了，所以換 Hana 上場揮棒。

be out for + score

同義詞
  • dismissed

    common in cricket reports and more formal than everyday 'out'

  • eliminated

    broader and can apply to contests beyond batting turns

反義詞
  • in

    used in some sports to mean still playing or still batting

  • still batting

    explicitly says the player's turn has not ended

文法句型

be out

be out after + catch/play

be out for + score

用法筆記

Used in sport when a player's turn is over and another player must take over. It is common after 'be', often with the reason or score added after it.

常見錯誤

❌Ravi was out from the match after the catch.
✅Ravi was out after the catch.
💡this sports use normally says simply 'be out', not 'out from'.

10. not in government anymore after losing an election.

10.副詞
釋義

下台；失勢

選舉失利後不再執政

not in government anymore after losing an election.

例句

After the vote, the Green Party was out for four years.

投票後，綠黨在野四年。

be out after losing an election

By midnight, the prime minister knew his government was out.

到了半夜，首相知道自己的政府失勢了。

government is out

同義詞
  • out of office

    close in meaning and often slightly more explicit

  • defeated

    focuses on the election result rather than the loss of governing power

  • voted out

    stresses that voters removed the leader or party

反義詞
  • in power

    means still controlling the government

  • in office

    focuses on still holding the official position

文法句型

be out after the election

government/party is out

be out of office

用法筆記

Used in politics after elections or vote counts, usually with a party, government, leader, or mayor as subject. Distinguish from sense 9, which is about sport rather than public office.

常見錯誤

❌The party was out from the election.
✅The party was out after the election.
💡this political use normally links the loss with 'after', not 'from'.

11. among several people, so each person gets a part, copy, or share.

11.副詞
釋義

分發

分給多人或分成幾份

among several people, so each person gets a part, copy, or share.

例句

The coach handed the orange slices out after the game.

教練在比賽後把柳橙片分發出去。

hand + noun + out

By nine o'clock, test papers were handed out in every room.

到九點時，每個教室都已經把考卷分發下去了。

passive: be handed out

同義詞
  • distribute

    more formal and often used in official contexts

  • hand round

    common in British English for passing things to a group

  • divide up

    stresses splitting something into shares

反義詞
  • collect

    means gathering things from people instead of giving them away

  • keep back

    means not giving the things to others

文法句型

hand/give + noun + out

share + noun + out

be handed out

用法筆記

Follows verbs that give or divide things to a group. The object is usually something countable or divisible, such as papers, food, maps, or money.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse distributed out the forms.
✅The nurse gave the forms out.
💡'out' is natural with verbs like 'give', 'hand', and 'share', but 'distribute out' is usually redundant.

12. away from the middle, covering more space in different directions.

12.副詞
釋義

散開

從中心向外擴散開來

away from the middle, covering more space in different directions.

例句

From the stage, the sound spread out across the dark field.

從舞台傳出的聲音向外散開，越過昏暗的空地。

spread out across + area

At sunset, smoke moved out from the campfire across the wet field.

日落時，煙從營火向外飄開，穿過潮濕的草地。

move out from + centre

同義詞
  • outward

    more formal and often used as an adjective or adverb

  • apart

    focuses on things moving away from each other

  • away

    broader and less tied to a clear centre point

反義詞
  • inward

    describes movement toward the centre

  • together

    focuses on things coming close instead of spreading apart

文法句型

spread/fan out

move/run out from + centre

out across + area

用法筆記

Usually appears with a starting point such as a stage, fire, bus, or stone. It describes movement or shape going from one centre toward a wider area.

常見錯誤

❌The smoke spread out to everywhere.
✅The smoke spread out across the yard.
💡this pattern normally adds a real place, not the vague word 'everywhere'.

13. of a book, film, album, game, or similar work, already released so people can bu

13.副詞B1
釋義

上市；發行

作品已公開販售或供人觀賞收聽

of a book, film, album, game, or similar work, already released so people can buy it, watch it, or listen to it.

例句

Her new cookbook is out in Taiwan next Friday.

她的新食譜下週五會在台灣上市。

book/album/film + be out

The band's live album came out before the summer tour.

那個樂團的現場專輯在夏季巡演前就發行了。

book/film/album + come out

同義詞
  • released

    the closest match for books, films, music, and games

  • published

    best for books, magazines, and printed material

  • available

    broader and less tied to public release

反義詞

文法句型

book/film/album + be out

magazine/issue + be out

book/film/album + come out

用法筆記

Usually said of creative works and editions, not ordinary objects in a shop. Distinguish from sense 20, where something secret becomes known.

常見錯誤

❌My new album is out next Friday.
✅My new album comes out next Friday.
💡use 'is out' for something already released, and 'comes out' for the release date.

14. visible because it has appeared or is no longer hidden.

14.副詞B1
釋義

出現

變得看得見或露出來

visible because it has appeared or is no longer hidden.

例句

By midnight, the stars were out above the dark lake.

半夜時，星星出現在黑湖上空。

stars/moon/sun + be out

After lunch, the sun came out and dried the path.

午飯後，太陽出現了，把小路曬乾了。

sun/moon/flowers/rash + come out

同義詞
  • appear

    the broad everyday word

  • show

    often used when something can now be seen

  • be visible

    slightly more formal and descriptive

反義詞

文法句型

stars/moon/sun + be out

sun/moon/flowers/rash + come out

用法筆記

Most common with things that can be seen after clouds, skin, or petals no longer hide them. Distinguish from sense 13, which is about works being released for the public.

常見錯誤

❌The stars went out after dinner.
✅The stars came out after dinner.
💡here 'come out' means become visible, while 'go out' usually means stop shining.

15. used after some verbs and adjectives to show an extreme degree or a fully finish

15.副詞
釋義

透；完

加在字後，表程度深或做完

used after some verbs and adjectives to show an extreme degree or a fully finished result.

例句

After the mountain walk, the children were tired out by dinner.

走完山路後，孩子們晚餐前就累壞了。

tired/worn/stressed + out

The long bus ride wore Maya out before the game.

那段長途巴士車程在比賽前就把 Maya 累透了。

wear + someone + out

同義詞
  • completely

    best when the idea is total result

  • totally

    common in speech and strongly emphatic

  • fully

    often sounds more neutral or formal

  • very

    works for degree, but not always for completed result

反義詞

文法句型

tired/worn/stressed + out

wear + someone + out

sort + something + out

用法筆記

Common after adjectives like 'tired' and 'worn', and in verbs such as 'wear ... out' and 'sort ... out'. In this sense, 'out' adds force rather than location.

常見錯誤

❌I am out tired after work.
✅I am tired out after work.
💡in this intensifying use, 'out' usually comes after the adjective or verb.

16. after verbs like laugh, cry, or call, showing that the sound is made loudly enou

16.副詞
釋義

大聲地

表示聲音很大，大家聽得到

after verbs like laugh, cry, or call, showing that the sound is made loudly enough for others to hear.

例句

Nina cried out when the dog jumped onto her leg.

狗跳到 Nina 腿上時，她大聲叫了出來。

cry/call/scream + out

The whole class laughed out loud at Omar's drawing.

全班看到 Omar 的畫時都大聲笑了出來。

laugh + out loud

同義詞
  • aloud

    the closest single-word match

  • loudly

    stresses volume more directly

  • audibly

    more formal and less common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • silently

    without any sound

  • softly

    with low volume rather than loud volume

文法句型

cry/call/scream + out

laugh + out loud

read + something + out

用法筆記

Usually follows verbs of speaking, shouting, laughing, or crying. Distinguish from sense 15, where 'out' strengthens a result such as 'tired out'.

常見錯誤

❌Please read out the list quiet.
✅Please read the list out quietly.
💡this use means making the words heard aloud, so keep the sound verb and use a normal adverb like 'quietly' for manner.

17. far from land, towns, or home, often in the sea or another remote place.

17.副詞C2
釋義

很遠

離陸地、城鎮或本國很遠

far from land, towns, or home, often in the sea or another remote place.

例句

The fishing boat was far out at sea before sunrise.

天亮前，那艘漁船已在離岸很遠的海上。

far out at sea

Two sheep farms stood miles out from the nearest town.

兩座農場離最近的城鎮都有好幾英里遠。

miles out from town

同義詞
反義詞
  • nearby

    close to the speaker or reference place

  • close in

    near land, town, or home rather than far away

文法句型

far out at sea

miles out from town

out in + country/place

用法筆記

Often appears with 'at sea', 'from town', or 'in' before a place name. Distinguish from sense 19, which is specifically about being away from the coast or beach.

18. not giving light or heat anymore because it has stopped burning or shining.

18.副詞B2
釋義

熄滅

燈火已不再亮或燃燒

not giving light or heat anymore because it has stopped burning or shining.

例句

When we got home, every kitchen light was out.

我們到家時，廚房的每盞燈都熄了。

light/fire/candle + be out

By morning, the campfire was out and the stones were cold.

到早上時，營火已經熄滅，石頭也冷了。

同義詞
  • extinguished

    best for flames and fires

  • unlit

    describes something with no light on it

  • dark

    focuses on the result rather than the stopping itself

反義詞

文法句型

light/fire/candle + be out

lights/candles + go out

lamp + stay out

用法筆記

Most common after 'be', 'go', or 'stay' with lights, candles, fires, and lamps. Distinguish from sense 23, where 'out' means unconscious or asleep.

常見錯誤

❌The candles came out during the storm.
✅The candles went out during the storm.
💡'come out' means appear, but 'go out' means stop burning or shining.

19. Farther from land, toward deeper water.

19.副詞
釋義

離岸

往海上更遠、離海岸更遠

Farther from land, toward deeper water.

例句

By sunset, the fishing boats were already two miles out.

到日落前，漁船已經在離岸兩英里的外海了。

distance phrase with offshore position

Strong wind pushed the kayaks farther out from the beach.

強風把獨木舟吹得離海灘更遠了。

farther out from + coast

同義詞
  • offshore

    more formal and often used as an adjective as well

  • seaward

    literary and strongly directional

  • away from shore

    plain paraphrase rather than a fixed one-word alternative

反義詞

文法句型

be out

farther/further out

out from the coast

用法筆記

Usually used for boats, swimmers, or things seen from the beach. Often appears with a distance or comparison word such as 'two miles out' or 'farther out'.

常見錯誤

❌The boat was out from the coast two miles.
✅The boat was two miles out from the coast.
💡the distance phrase normally comes before 'out'.

20. Used when news, facts, or another piece of information has become openly known i

20.副詞
釋義

公開；公布

消息、資料等已不再保密

Used when news, facts, or another piece of information has become openly known instead of staying private.

例句

By breakfast, the election result was out across the whole town.

到吃早餐時，選舉結果已經傳遍全鎮了。

[news/result] is out

Once the video was out online, the school could not deny it.

那段影片一在網路上公開，學校就無法否認了。

be out online

同義詞
  • public

    broader and often used as an adjective rather than after 'be'

  • known

    more neutral and less tied to secrecy

  • exposed

    suggests unwanted or embarrassing disclosure

反義詞
  • secret

    means kept from other people

  • private

    covers information that is not shared openly

文法句型

[news/details/name] is out

[secret] comes out

be out online

用法筆記

The subject is usually information, such as news, details, results, or a name. Distinguish from sense 21: this sense is about information becoming public, not a person's LGBTQ identity.

常見錯誤

❌The news went public out at noon.
✅The news was out at noon.
💡with this sense, 'out' usually follows 'be' directly.

21. Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is openly known rather than hidden from o

21.副詞
釋義

出櫃

性傾向或性別認同不再隱瞞

Used for a person whose LGBTQ identity is openly known rather than hidden from other people.

例句

Evan was out to his sisters long before he told his coach.

Evan 早在告訴教練前，就已經向姊妹出櫃了。

be out to + person/group

Only one lawyer at the firm was out in 2010.

2010 年，那家律師事務所只有一位律師是公開出櫃的。

be out at + workplace

同義詞
  • open

    broader and not limited to LGBTQ identity

  • public

    focuses on being known widely, without the same personal meaning

反義詞
  • closeted

    means keeping LGBTQ identity private

  • private

    broader and less specific than 'closeted'

文法句型

be out

be out to + family/friends

be out at + work/school

用法筆記

Most often used after 'be'. It commonly adds the people who know with 'to' or the setting with 'at', as in 'out to his brother' and 'out at school'.

常見錯誤

❌Mina is out of her parents.
✅Mina is out to her parents.
💡use 'to' for the people who know.

22. Used in games to say a ball has fallen beyond the marked lines of play.

22.副詞
釋義

出界

球落在線外

Used in games to say a ball has fallen beyond the marked lines of play.

例句

Riko's first serve landed out by a few centimeters.

Riko 的第一發只差幾公分就出界了。

[serve] lands out

From the sideline, the referee called the ball out.

裁判從邊線旁判那顆球出界。

call the ball out

同義詞
  • wide

    used when the ball crosses the sideline

  • long

    used when the ball goes beyond the back line

  • fault

    the official result of an out serve, not a full synonym in every sport

反義詞
  • in

    means the ball landed within the lines

  • good

    used by officials for a valid shot in some sports

文法句型

[ball] lands out

call the ball out

[shot/serve] is out

用法筆記

Almost always used for balls in sports with boundary lines, especially tennis. Distinguish from ordinary 'outside': this sense is the formal game judgment about where the ball landed.

常見錯誤

❌The ball was outside.
✅The ball was out.
💡in line-based sports, 'out' is the usual call.

23. Asleep or no longer conscious, often after medicine, illness, or a blow.

23.副詞
釋義

昏迷；睡著

失去知覺或已入睡

Asleep or no longer conscious, often after medicine, illness, or a blow.

例句

After the long surgery, Mr. Wu was still out in recovery.

長時間手術後，Mr. Wu 在恢復室裡還沒醒來。

be out after medicine or illness

By nine o'clock, both children were out on the sofa.

到九點時，兩個孩子都已經在沙發上睡著了。

be out = asleep

同義詞
  • asleep

    covers ordinary sleep, without the informal tone

  • unconscious

    more medical and does not include normal sleep

  • knocked out

    specifically suggests a blow or strong impact

反義詞

文法句型

be out

stay out

be knocked out

用法筆記

Common in informal speech. Unlike adjective sense 5, this adverb sense also covers ordinary sleep, not only loss of consciousness after being hit.

常見錯誤

❌The child was out of after the medicine.
✅The child was out after the medicine.
💡do not add 'of' after 'out' in this sense.

24. Used when a figure, measurement, or judgment is wrong instead of exact.

24.副詞C1
釋義

有誤；不準

數字、估計等不正確

Used when a figure, measurement, or judgment is wrong instead of exact.

例句

Your hotel bill is out by twenty dollars.

你的飯店帳單金額差了二十美元。

out by + amount

The map scale was slightly out, so we missed the turn.

地圖比例有點不準，所以我們錯過了轉彎處。

slightly out for inaccurate value

同義詞
  • wrong

    broad everyday word for any mistake

  • inaccurate

    more formal and often used for data or measurement

  • off

    informal and common for numbers or timing

反義詞

文法句型

be out

be out by + amount

[measurement/guess] is out

用法筆記

Often followed by 'by' plus the amount of error: 'out by two centimeters'. The subject is usually a number, bill, guess, total, or measurement.

常見錯誤

❌Your answer is out from two points.
✅Your answer is out by two points.
💡use 'by' to show the size of the mistake.

25. used after a superlative to mean the best, biggest, or similar item among the th

25.副詞C1
釋義

現有的

用於最高級，指現存可比較者

used after a superlative to mean the best, biggest, or similar item among the things now available or existing.

例句

This is the safest bike out for young children.

這是目前現有最安全的兒童腳踏車。

superlative + noun + out

Among cheap laptops, this may be the best one out.

在便宜筆電裡，這可能是現有最好的一款。

the best one out

同義詞
  • available

    fits things you can buy or get, but not every existing thing

  • existing

    broader and more formal, without the superlative pattern

  • current

    stresses the present time more than the set of choices

反義詞
  • gone

    suggests it no longer exists or can no longer be found

  • obsolete

    means old and no longer used, not simply absent

文法句型

the best/safest/quietest + noun + out

the best one out

用法筆記

Restricted to superlatives and usually comes after the noun: 'the best phone out', 'the safest car out'. It points to the current set of things available for comparison.

常見錯誤

❌This is the most safe bike out.
✅This is the safest bike out.
💡With this pattern, English normally uses the ordinary superlative form, not 'most safe'.

26. used to say a season, month, year, or similar period has come to an end.

26.副詞C1
釋義

結束了

表示一段時間已經過去

used to say a season, month, year, or similar period has come to an end.

例句

May is out, so the school pool opens tomorrow.

五月過完了，學校游泳池明天開放。

time period + is out

When winter is out, farmers start planting rice again.

冬天結束了之後，農夫又開始插秧。

同義詞
  • over

    the most common everyday way to say a period has ended

  • finished

    clear and neutral, but less idiomatic in this exact pattern

  • ended

    more formal and often used in writing

反義詞
  • on

    used when an event or period is still happening

  • under way

    stresses that the period has started and is continuing

文法句型

month/season/year + is out

once/when + time period + is out

用法筆記

Mostly follows a named month, season, year, or exam period. It is less common than 'over' and sounds more idiomatic or literary.

常見錯誤

❌When exam week was out of, Leo slept all day.
✅When exam week was out, Leo slept all day.
💡This sense uses plain 'out' after the time period, without 'of'.

27. used to say an idea, plan, or action cannot be accepted or carried out.

27.副詞B2
釋義

不行

表示不被允許或辦不到

used to say an idea, plan, or action cannot be accepted or carried out.

例句

Camping this weekend is out because the bridge washed away.

這週末去露營不行，因為橋被沖走了。

idea/activity + is out

After the dentist's bill, a beach holiday was out.

牙醫帳單一來，海邊假期就不行了。

同義詞
  • impossible

    focuses on something not being able to happen

  • not allowed

    stresses rules or permission more clearly

  • off the table

    informal and common when an option is no longer considered

反義詞
  • possible

    says the plan can still happen

  • allowed

    fits cases about permission rather than practicality

文法句型

plan/idea/activity + is out

be out because/after + reason

用法筆記

Usually follows the thing being rejected, such as a trip, purchase, or activity. Distinguish from sense 28, which is about fashion rather than possibility or permission.

常見錯誤

❌A new kitchen is out of because we have no money.
✅A new kitchen is out because we have no money.
💡This sense says an idea is impossible, so it does not take 'of' after 'out'.

28. used when a style, colour, item, or habit is no longer seen as modern or popular

28.副詞B2
釋義

過時了

表示已不再流行

used when a style, colour, item, or habit is no longer seen as modern or popular.

例句

Skinny ties are out this year at Mila's design school.

在 Mila 的設計學校裡，細領帶今年過時了。

style/item + is out

By senior year, printed phone cases were already out.

到高年級時，印花手機殼早就過時了。

同義詞
  • unfashionable

    the closest formal adjective, but less conversational

  • dated

    suggests something feels from an earlier period

  • old-fashioned

    can be negative or sometimes pleasantly traditional

反義詞
  • in

    the usual short opposite in fashion talk

  • fashionable

    neutral and broad for current style approval

文法句型

style/item + is out

be out this year/now/these days

用法筆記

Subjects are usually fashions, colours, clothes, or ways of decorating. Distinguish from sense 27: here the thing may still be possible, but people no longer think it looks current.

常見錯誤

❌Skinny ties are out of now.
✅Skinny ties are out now.
💡This fashion sense uses plain 'out', not 'out of'.

29. trying to do something, often harmful or selfish, as your purpose.

29.副詞C1
釋義

存心

懷著惡意或自利目的

trying to do something, often harmful or selfish, as your purpose.

例句

The scammer was out to steal cash from tired tourists.

那個騙子存心從疲憊的遊客身上偷走現金。

be out to + verb

Some firms are out to cut pay, not help staff.

有些公司存心砍薪，不是想幫員工。

同義詞
  • intend

    broader and neutral, without the negative feeling

  • be bent on

    stronger and often suggests stubborn determination

  • seek

    more formal and less clearly selfish or hostile

反義詞
  • help

    shows a supportive purpose instead of a harmful one

  • protect

    the opposite kind of intention when someone acts for safety

文法句型

be out to + verb

not be out to + verb

用法筆記

Almost always appears in 'be out to + verb'. It usually suggests a selfish or hostile aim, though a negative form like 'not out to hurt anyone' softens that idea.

常見錯誤

❌The scammer was out for steal cash.
✅The scammer was out to steal cash.
💡This sense takes 'to' + verb, not 'for' + verb.

out — 動詞

out — 名詞

out — 形容詞

out — 字首