go out

verb

went out; gone out; going out; goes out
Synonyms of go outnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to go forth, abroad, or outdoors
specifically : to leave one's house
b(1)
: to take the field as a soldier
(2)
: to participate as a principal in a duel
c
: to travel as or as if a colonist or immigrant
d
: to work away from home
e
: to be sent from a person or a place
Our thoughts go out to the victims.
Warnings went out over the radio.
2
a
: to come to an end
March went out like a lamb.
b(1)
: to stop working
The engines went out.
(2)
: to stop shining or burning
The fire is going out.
c
: to give up office : resign
d
: to become obsolete or unfashionable
styles that went out long ago
e(1)
: to play the last card of one's hand
(2)
: to reach or exceed the total number of points required for game in cards
f
: to bring a performance to a close
The band went out with a solid rendition of another Allmans classic …Joel Silverstein
3
a
: to take part in social activities
made plans to go out for drinks
b
: to date someone romantically
They've been going out for about six months.
4
: to go on strike
5
6
: to become a candidate
went out for the football team
see also:

Examples of go out in a Sentence

there was concern that the dam would go out under the force of the flood waters she enjoys going out on weekends, but during the week she's a homebody
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hunt went to the area's grocery store but hesitated to buy food in case the power goes out again. ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 A number of bus drivers went out Tuesday in their personal vehicles to determine how safe the routes are for school buses. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 The alert went out warning students to avoid Eddy Hall after the bear was spotted hiding near the academic building. Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 We’re told that as of the last hour, calls to talent advancing to the next stage have begun going out. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go out

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Cite this Entry

“Go out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20out. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

go out

verb
1
: to leave one's home
2
: to stop working
3
: to stop burning or glowing
4
: to become a candidate
went out for the football team
5
: to become obsolete or unfashionable
6
: to engage in social activities
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster