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

See Examples For:

out-of-body

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

From BBC ● May 10, 2026

"Him leaving me on the beach sparked a panic attack. It just came over me like a tidal wave. It felt like an out-of-body experience," she says.

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 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

When these regions of the brain are disturbed through experiments like the rubber hand illusion, people report feeling out-of-body experiences.

From Salon ● May 26, 2025

But I’m wondering if I’m having an out-of-body experience.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas