out-of-body

American

[out-uhv-bod-ee] / ˈaʊt əvˈbɒd i /

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by the dissociative sensation of perceiving oneself from an external vantage point, as though the mind or soul has left the body and is acting on its own.

an alleged out-of-body experience.

Etymology

Origin of out-of-body

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

out-of-body

“It’s almost like an out-of-body experience,” recalls Owen Hargreaves.

From BBC ● May 10, 2026

In his letter entitled "To Those I've Hurt," he said he sometimes has "disconnected moments" that lead to poor judgment and reckless behavior, describing such instances as feeling like an out-of-body experience.

From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026

It’s an out-of-body experience and just comes from somewhere else.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2025

The anterior precuneus, situated between the brain’s two hemispheres, has also been linked to out-of-body experiences.

From Salon ● May 26, 2025

When the operation is over, I still feel somewhat out-of-body.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023