out-of-office
|out/of/of/fice|
🇺🇸
/ˌaʊt əv ˈɔːfɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌaʊt əv ˈɒfɪs/
not present at work
Etymology
'out-of-office' originates from the English phrase 'out of office,' where 'out' meant 'not in' and 'office' referred to a place of work.
'out of office' has been used in English to describe a person's absence from their workplace, evolving into the modern usage of 'out-of-office' as an adjective.
Initially, it meant 'not present in the office,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
referring to a status where someone is not present at their workplace, often used in automated email responses.
I am currently out-of-office and will respond to your email upon my return.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42