1 B2 neutral
To divide a substance or mixture into its different parts or components.
"The centrifuge is used to separate out the blood cells from the plasma."
separable
separate out
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To divide a mixture or group into distinct components, or to identify something as distinct.
In plain English
To take different things apart from each other, or to pick out one particular thing from a group.
What does "separate out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To identify and treat distinct issues or factors individually, rather than as a whole.
"We need to separate out the financial problems from the management problems before we can address either."
separable
Usage tip
Used in both scientific contexts (separating chemicals) and general contexts (distinguishing ideas or issues). The particle 'out' adds the sense of clearly identifying distinct parts.
Words that pair with "separate out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
components issues variables mixture colours factors
How to conjugate "separate out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
separate out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
separates out
he/she/it
Past simple
separated out
yesterday
Past participle
separated out
have + pp
-ing form
separating out
continuous
Hear "separate out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "separate out"
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