out-of-body

[ out-uhv-bod-ee ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of out-of-body¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

It was like I had an out-of-body experience with Jamie.

From Los Angeles Times

"They told me they could treat it to extend my life I suppose, but there wasn't any way of getting rid of the cancer. It was one of those out-of-body moments where you can't quite believe what you're hearing. At that point I was given a prognosis of about 18 months."

From BBC

I had a near out-of-body experience shouting that kid down.

From Los Angeles Times

Nobody described this hideous out-of-body experience better than Muhammad Ali.

From BBC

“The first time that I saw a tattoo on Instagram, I had an out-of-body experience where I could see the trajectory of the deck,” said the artist, speaking to The Times from her black-and-gold sanctuary of a workspace, carved into the corner of her sunny, second-floor apartment.

From Los Angeles Times