measure out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral (common in both everyday and specific technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “measure out” mean?
To take a specific quantity of something, especially by using a measuring tool or following a precise method, typically for cooking or preparing ingredients.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To take a specific quantity of something, especially by using a measuring tool or following a precise method, typically for cooking or preparing ingredients.
To portion, distribute, or allot something according to a predetermined amount or plan. Can imply careful, deliberate division of resources, time, or effort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. However, in UK recipes, 'measure out' is often used for both dry and liquid ingredients, while in the US, 'measure out' is sometimes more associated with dry ingredients, with 'measure' alone or 'pour' used for liquids.
Connotations
Similar connotations of precision and careful preparation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English in everyday cooking contexts. In US English, it may be perceived as slightly more formal or deliberate than simply 'measure'.
Grammar
How to Use “measure out” in a Sentence
[NP] measure out [NP] (e.g., She measured out the flour.)[NP] measure [NP] out (e.g., He measured the coffee out carefully.)[NP] measure out [NP] for [NP] (e.g., I measured out a dose for the child.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “measure out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She measured out 200g of caster sugar for the Victoria sponge.
- The chemist carefully measured out the compound.
- He measured his life out in minor administrative tasks.
American English
- She measured out two cups of all-purpose flour for the cookies.
- The pharmacist measured out the exact dosage.
- We need to measure out our remaining supplies.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The committee measured out the budget for each department.'
Academic
Used in scientific writing for precise experimental procedures: 'The reagent was measured out to the nearest milligram.'
Everyday
Most common in cooking and DIY contexts: 'Could you measure out two cups of pasta?'
Technical
Used in pharmacy, chemistry, and manufacturing for preparing specific quantities of substances.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “measure out”
- Using 'measure out' for calculating dimensions (e.g., 'He measured out the room' is wrong; use 'He measured the room').
- Omitting 'out' when the sense of taking a specific portion from a larger whole is key.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Measure' is the general act of determining size or quantity. 'Measure out' specifically means to take or set aside a determined quantity from a larger supply, emphasizing the completion of the portioning action.
Yes, but it's often metaphorical or literary, suggesting careful, deliberate, or limited allocation (e.g., 'She measured out her remaining time on the project').
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'measure the flour out' or 'measure out the flour'.
Yes, particularly in scientific, pharmaceutical, culinary, and manufacturing fields where precise quantities of materials are prepared from a stock.
To take a specific quantity of something, especially by using a measuring tool or following a precise method, typically for cooking or preparing ingredients.
Measure out is usually neutral (common in both everyday and specific technical contexts) in register.
Measure out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeʒər aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛʒər aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Measure out one's life with coffee spoons (literary, from T.S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock', implying a monotonous, trivial existence).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baker using a cup to take flour OUT of a large bag, completing the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE SUBSTANCES THAT CAN BE PORTIONED (e.g., measuring out time, patience).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'measure out' LEAST appropriate?