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space out

B1 informal separable both
In simple words

To stop paying attention and let your mind go blank, or to put things further apart from each other.

Literal meaning: To move into space further apart — transparent for the arrangement sense; idiomatic for the mental state sense.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To lose concentration or become mentally unfocused; to daydream or stare blankly.

"Sorry, I completely spaced out during the meeting — what was the last point?"

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To arrange objects or events with even or deliberate gaps between them.

"Try to space the appointments out more so clients aren't waiting too long."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic slang

(Slang) To be confused, disorientated, or in an altered mental state, typically due to drug use.

"He was so spaced out that he couldn't follow the conversation."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The 'lose concentration' sense is very common in American English. The 'arrange at intervals' sense is more neutral. A third sense — being affected by drugs — is slang and less common. 'Spaced out' as an adjective is very widely used.

Commonly used with

meeting appointments payments days completely totally

Forms

Base
space out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spaces out
he/she/it
Past simple
spaced out
yesterday
Past participle
spaced out
have + pp
-ing form
spacing out
continuous

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Synonyms

zone out drift off blank out stare into space spread out spread apart

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