age out
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To get too old to be part of a programme or system that has an age limit.
Literal meaning: To pass out of eligibility as one ages — the age itself moves you out.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To reach the maximum age allowed for a programme, benefit, or institution and therefore no longer be eligible.
"Many young people struggle when they age out of the foster care system at eighteen."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral
To become too old for a junior or youth-level sports programme.
"She aged out of the under-18 tennis circuit and moved to the senior tour."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in social work, foster care, sports, and insurance contexts. A young person 'ages out' of the foster care system when they turn 18 in many countries. Also used in sports for junior programmes.
Commonly used with
foster care system programme coverage league benefit
Forms
Base
age out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ages out
he/she/it
Past simple
aged out
yesterday
Past participle
aged out
have + pp
-ing form
aging out
continuous
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Synonyms
exceed the age limit be too old for graduate from outgrow
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