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• spaced-out
  spaced-out

  adjective

  dazed or stupefied because of the influence of narcotic drugs.
• spaced out
  spaced out

  adjective

  intoxicated through or as if through taking a drug

spaced-out

American  

[speyst-out] / ˈspeɪstˈaʊt /

Also spaced

adjective

Informal.

1. dazed or stupefied because of the influence of narcotic drugs.

   The spaced-out main characters are the primary feature of a stoner comedy.

2. dreamily or eerily out of touch with reality or seemingly so; spacey.

   He was rushed to the hospital with signs of a concussion, including spaced-out and confused behavior.

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spaced out British  

adjective

1. Often shortened to: spaced.  slang intoxicated through or as if through taking a drug

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Etymology

Origin of spaced-out

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; on the pattern of phrasal verbs with out marking completed action, such as tired out; space apparently by association with “outer space” as, metaphorically, a place outside normal consciousness

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spaced-out spaced out

The mostly instrumental “Panorama” swirls banjo, mandolin, strings and horns with droning electronics, landing on a kind of spaced-out Americana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

The tour is in support of the band's seventh album, The Car, which builds on the lounge-y, spaced-out orchestral vibes of their previous record, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

From BBC ● May 29, 2023

The entire evening was a giant, justifiable embrace between the lovably spaced-out star and a crowd that always had his back.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2023

It’s only two minutes long, but “Amber,” from the second half of the project, runs like a spaced-out symphony.

From New York Times ● May 27, 2022

My only companions were now at spaced-out and mighty intervals the big bare peaks that had lifted themselves mysteriously from among their lesser neighbours, with which heretofore they had been confused.

From The Killer by Stewart Edward White

The rules also allow small plants — from begonias to succulents — up to 18 inches tall as long as they are spaced out in groups.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2026

But in “Masquerade,” six cohorts of 60 audience members need to be spaced out evenly as they take in the show in a 30,000-square-foot, five-floor warehouse once occupied by an art supply company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 2, 2026

Truthful and concerning accounts, all of them—but few and far between, spaced out over a span of years to make it seem like these are common rather than exceptional occurrences.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2025

Her first college game came in an eerily quiet setting: no fans, players spaced out on bleachers and some wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus.

From New York Times ● Apr. 2, 2024

“You seemed spaced out there for a minute.”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon