out-of-body

American  

[out-uhv-bod-ee] / ˈaʊt əvˈbɒd i /

adjective

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of out-of-body

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“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 was an out-of-body experience and one of those moments where you do something but don't realise until years later how important the goal was," said Thompson.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

“When you see yourself projected that big, you start to understand what you feel like to other people in the world, which was a very interesting out-of-body experience.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

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

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman