1 C1 neutral
To construct the structural frame or skeleton of a building or room.
"The crew managed to frame out the entire ground floor in a single day."
separable
frame out
C1 neutral separable transitive
To build the structural frame or skeleton of a construction; or to establish the broad structure of a plan or argument.
In plain English
Build the basic skeleton or structure of something before adding details.
What does "frame out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
In photography or film: to compose a shot so that a subject or element is excluded from the frame.
"The director framed out the camera crew that had accidentally stepped into the shot."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To build outward from a central point to create the outer framework.
Actually means
Build the basic skeleton or structure of something before adding details.
Usage tip
Common in construction contexts. In filmmaking, 'frame out' can mean to deliberately exclude something from the camera's frame. In planning contexts, it means to establish a broad outline.
Words that pair with "frame out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
building room wall plan argument shot
How to conjugate "frame out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
frame out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
frames out
he/she/it
Past simple
framed out
yesterday
Past participle
framed out
have + pp
-ing form
framing out
continuous
Hear "frame out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "frame out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.