1 B1 informal
To visit or survey a place in advance in order to assess its suitability or gather information.
"The director flew to Prague to scout out possible filming locations for the new movie."
separable
scout out
B1 informal separable transitive
To explore or investigate a place or option in advance in order to gather useful information.
In plain English
To go and look at a place or thing ahead of time so you know what to expect.
What does "scout out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To search for and identify promising talent, opportunities, or options.
"She spent the weekend scouting out new suppliers who could meet their tight deadlines."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scout (reconnoitre) out (away from base) a place or target.
Actually means
To go and look at a place or thing ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Usage tip
Common in both everyday and professional contexts. Widely used in travel, business, film production (location scouting), and military/tactical contexts. Natural in spoken and written English.
Words that pair with "scout out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
location venue area route competition talent
How to conjugate "scout out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scout out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scouts out
he/she/it
Past simple
scouted out
yesterday
Past participle
scouted out
have + pp
-ing form
scouting out
continuous
Hear "scout out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "scout out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "scout out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.