Jump To:

• out-of-print
  out-of-print

  adjective

  being no longer published; no longer printed or reprinted.
• out of print
  out of print

  see under in print; also see go out, def. 6.

out-of-print

American  

[out-uhv-print] / ˈaʊt əvˈprɪnt /

adjective

1. being no longer published; no longer printed or reprinted.

   a bookstore specializing in out-of-print books.

---

noun

1. a book, pamphlet, etc., that is no longer published.

out of print Idioms  

1. see under in print; also see go out, def. 6.

---

Etymology

Origin of out-of-print

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-print out of print

There, I stumble on titles I’ve never seen, by authors I’ve never heard of, alongside out-of-print classics I don’t own.

From Salon ● Dec. 20, 2025

I found a healthy alternative in Todd Grimson’s vampire novel, “Stainless,” an out-of-print book from 1996 that was republished this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

But as a kinesiology student at Fresno State, he was handed an out-of-print textbook that told him he had it all wrong.

From Science Daily ● May 14, 2024

And then, said Dawson: “The thing that was really hard for the out-of-print book trade was the advent of the internet.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2023

Fourth Avenue is the used and out-of-print book center of the English-speaking chapter of the civilized world.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

After being out of print for decades, the author’s third novel, Survivor, has just been rereleased.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

Authors can often regain book rights from publishers once they’re out of print, or buy out the rights on underperforming titles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

In an attempt to remedy this injustice, Blouin's memoir, titled My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria, is being re-released, having spent decades out of print.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2025

I find people have it on their Kwanzaa setups and it is now out of print, long out of print, and people needed a new version.

From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2024

She went to three bookstores, but Danny reminded her that it was out of print.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova