zone out vs spaced out

Both 'zone out' and 'spaced out' are correct phrases in English. They are informal expressions used to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness. The choice between them is a matter of personal preference or regional usage.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 701 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness.

"zone out"

It means to lose concentration or focus on what is happening around you. It is often used in casual conversations or when talking about being mentally absent.

Examples:

I tend to zone out during long meetings.
She zoned out while watching TV.
Don't zone out while driving.
I always zone out when I'm tired.
He tends to zone out when he's stressed.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nice graphics and soothing music will help you zone out for awhile.
So I think maybe by the time it gets to the end of the day I just want to really zone out and do something totally comforting.
People listen to me and they zone out... bored.
It was a war zone out there, Malaya.
It's a battle zone out there.
The numbers just make you want to zone out.
Perhaps you could flood the zone out there.
It's a war zone out there.
'Cause you know how I zone out when other people talk.
The stalkers know there's 400 square blocks of game zone out there... and anything can happen in the next three hours.
Sometimes he starts to talk to me, and I just sort of zone out.
I'm the last to subscribe to this stuff, but you were in the zone out there.
See when that happens I just zone out and stare at the air hostesses.
Honestly, I just zone out every time girls start talking about this stuff.
It was the one thing I could zone out and do without thinking.
I know the gist, but I always kind of zone out when people start to tell me about their dreams.
You click on the wrong button, misread the lobby, or simply zone out.
I don't like it when you zone out and stare like that.
Like Jimmy said, it's a cool way to zone out.
See when that happens I just zone out and stare at the air hostesses.

Alternatives:

space out
drift off
daydream
lose focus
become distracted

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness.

"spaced out"

It means to be in a state of mental disconnection or to be unaware of one's surroundings. It is often used interchangeably with 'zone out.'

Examples:

She looked like she was spaced out during the lecture.
I spaced out and missed what he said.
Don't space out while I'm talking to you.
He tends to space out when he's bored.
I feel like I'm spacing out after a long day.

Show examples from the web [+]

The true meaning of "spaced out" is stupefied, dazed and disoriented.
Then... maybe words like "spaced out" too?
Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months.
Heavy usage makes you passive, tired and your mind is really spaced out and you just don't really care about anything...
Hiking along the Val delle Mure is a pleasurable experience immersed as it is in splendid beech woods spaced out around fields and mountain huts.
Closed between medieval walls still well preserved, spaced out by semicircular towers and interrupted only in correspondence with the gates, the Borgo di Finale immediately offers the visitor a feeling of protection and gathering.
Then, the central area will offer comfortable chaises longues, from where you can enjoy the projection on the screens, spaced out by shows of 'son et lumière'.
Treatment of the construction joints, estimated according to the Works Management's indications, with the insertion of two metallic outlines joined and spaced out by elastic.
One of the most striking changes in Google's new Gmail design is how spaced out everything now appears (man, those message lines are huge!).
What's with "spaced out"?
The controls are spaced out well so it's easy to use all of the controls and I had no complaints with them at all.
The IRIS short necklace is made with soft cotton bands in open-weave fabric, like jute, and rings in anodized aluminium, gold or silver colored, alternating matt and shiny, spaced out by the same fabric knots.
In 1557 the Grand Duke achieved the official possession of that fortified town, equipped by a ring of walls spaced out by three fortress, one of them was placed nearby the harbour.
She wanted the word LOVE painted on the parasol, but wanted it spaced out differently than we normally would. I just love how it turned out.
And you spaced out.
Sorry, I spaced out there.
Sorry. I just spaced out there for a second.
And, I guess, amidst all the craziness today I just spaced out about lunch.
Soon they also heard the knocks on the walls which continued at spaced out intervals.
I should have spaced out his vaccinations.

Alternatives:

zone out
drift off
daydream
lose focus
become distracted

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zone out vs spaced out

"zone out"

"spaced out"

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