1 A2 neutral
To remove the contents of a container quickly by tipping, pouring, or shaking it out.
"She dumped out her entire handbag on the table looking for her keys."
separable
dump out
A2 neutral separable transitive
To quickly empty the contents of a container by tipping or turning it over.
In plain English
To take everything out of a bag, box, or container by turning it upside down or pouring it out quickly.
What does "dump out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To dispose of or get rid of something by emptying it out somewhere.
"He dumped out the old paint cans in the back of the garage."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To dump (drop carelessly) something out of a container — transparent and non-idiomatic.
Actually means
To take everything out of a bag, box, or container by turning it upside down or pouring it out quickly.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday, informal American English. British English more often uses 'tip out' or 'empty out'. The action is fast and often careless. Can also be used intransitively ('dump out of something').
Words that pair with "dump out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bag purse box bucket contents trash
How to conjugate "dump out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dump out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dumps out
he/she/it
Past simple
dumped out
yesterday
Past participle
dumped out
have + pp
-ing form
dumping out
continuous
Hear "dump out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dump out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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