way out

¹ American  

noun

1. the means by which a predicament, dilemma, etc., may be solved.

2. Chiefly British. an exit or exit door, as in a theater.

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way-out ² American  

[wey-out] / ˈweɪˈaʊt /

adjective

Informal.

1. advanced in style or technique.

   way-out jazz.

2. exotic or esoteric in character.

   way-out theories on nutrition.

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way-out British  

adjective

1. extremely unconventional or experimental; avant-garde

2. excellent or amazing

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Etymology

Origin of way-out

1950–55; adj. use of way out far off; see way ², out

Example Sentences

The Spice Girl turned fashion designer clawed her way out of debt and posted record profits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The only way out of the mess looks to be self-driving cars.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“I honestly can’t see a way out for him,” Routledge told Golfweek.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

"On the way out, some of the prisoners came out of their cells and started lambasting the away side for losing the game," Tony says.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

There had to be a way out; but Torak couldn’t see it.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver