Phrase guide

out of bounds

noun · prep_phrase · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sideline marking the edge of a playing field or court.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An instance of a player or the ball going out of bounds.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Ground that one is not permitted to enter, or that is outside the permitted playing area.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Out of bounds starts at the white stake.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

prep_phrase

Meaning 4

Where one is prohibited to enter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • You can play wherever you want, but remember that the cemetery is out of bounds.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

prep_phrase

Meaning 5

Beyond the bounds of civility, morality, or normality.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • You were out of bounds to call him a criminal.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

prep_phrase

Meaning 6

Outside the area of play; beyond the sideline of a playing field or court.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The ball went out of bounds.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

a line that marks the side boundary of a playing field

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sideline

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: line

Narrower terms: touchline

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kielletty — where one is prohibited to enter
  • Finnish: asiaton — beyond the bounds of civility, morality or normality
  • Finnish: ulkona — outside the area of play
  • Finnish: ulos — outside the area of play
  • Italian: fuori dei limiti — outside the area of play
  • Spanish: fuera de los linderos — outside the area of play