1 A2 neutral
To physically extend your arm or hand outward to touch or grasp something.
"She reached out and squeezed his hand to comfort him."
inseparable
reach out
A2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To extend your arm to touch something, or to make contact with someone, especially for help or connection.
In plain English
To stretch your arm out, or to try to talk to someone and make a connection.
What does "reach out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To contact or communicate with someone, especially to offer or ask for help or support.
"If you're struggling, please reach out to one of our counsellors — they're here to help."
“
If you are struggling, please reach out. You are not alone.
— Common public health campaign phrasing, widely used by organisations such as the WHO and NHS
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To extend influence, services, or communication to a wider group of people.
"The charity is trying to reach out to homeless people in rural areas who often go unnoticed."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically stretch one's arm outward in front of or to the side of the body.
Actually means
To stretch your arm out, or to try to talk to someone and make a connection.
Usage tip
The figurative sense ('reach out to someone') has become extremely common in professional and corporate English, sometimes criticized as jargon when overused. In emotional or social contexts it sounds warm and human. Very common in American English in professional emails ('Please reach out if you need anything').
Words that pair with "reach out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
community support help contact team friends victims
How to conjugate "reach out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
reach out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reaches out
he/she/it
Past simple
reached out
yesterday
Past participle
reached out
have + pp
-ing form
reaching out
continuous
Hear "reach out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "reach out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "reach out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
approach connect with contact get in touch make contact touch base
Keep exploring
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