Can a book come back 'in-print' after being 'out-of-print'?

Yes, if a publisher decides to reissue it or a new publisher acquires the rights, a book can come back into print.

Is 'out-of-print' the same as 'public domain'?

No. 'Out-of-print' is a commercial status. 'Public domain' refers to expired copyright. A book can be in-print but public domain (e.g., a classic published by many houses), or out-of-print but still under copyright.

What's the best way to find an out-of-print book?

Check with specialist second-hand booksellers, online marketplaces for used books, and library archives.

Does 'out-of-print' apply to digital books?

Traditionally, no; it refers to physical prints. However, the concept is now extended to e-books that are withdrawn from sale by the publisher or platform.

out-of-print

UK/ˌaʊt əv ˈprɪnt/US/ˌaʊt əv ˈprɪnt/

Formal/Neutral

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A book, document, or other publication that is no longer being produced or sold by the publisher.

Not currently available from the original publisher, often making it rare, difficult to obtain, and potentially valuable. Can metaphorically refer to any discontinued item or idea.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Specifically refers to the commercial status of a published work; "out-of-stock" implies temporary unavailability, while "out-of-print" implies the publisher has ended production.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. Hyphenation and spelling are consistent. The concept is identical in both publishing industries.

Connotations

Identical connotations of rarity, potential collector's value, and sometimes obsolescence.

Frequency

Equally common and standard in both dialects.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

go out-of-printdeclared out-of-printout-of-print bookout-of-print edition

medium

become out-of-printlong out-of-printrare out-of-printfind an out-of-print

weak

search for out-of-printvalue of out-of-printcopies of out-of-print

Grammar

Valency Patterns

BE + out-of-printGO + out-of-printFIND + an out-of-print + NOUN

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

O.P.OP

Neutral

out of publicationdiscontinuedno longer published

Weak

unavailable from publishernot in print

Vocabulary

Antonyms

in printavailablecurrentin publication

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“It's gone to the printers' graveyard.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in publishing, bookselling, and library acquisition to describe inventory status.

Academic

Used in bibliographies and research to indicate the difficulty of sourcing a reference.

Everyday

Used by book lovers, collectors, and students searching for specific titles.

Technical

A precise term in publishing and library science.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The first edition is scheduled to go out-of-print next month.
Many academic monographs out-print within a few years.

American English

The publisher decided to let the title go out-of-print.
That textbook out-printed years ago.

adverb

British English

The novel is sold out-of-print.
It's listed out-of-print on their website.

American English

The manual is only available out-of-print.
He sourced the map out-of-print.

Examples

By CEFR Level

This book is old. It is out-of-print.

My favourite childhood book is now out-of-print, so I can't buy a new copy.

The author's early works are mostly out-of-print, but you might find them in second-hand shops.

The monograph went out-of-print shortly after publication, rendering it a sought-after item among scholars.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a PRINTing press that has STOPPED (OUT) producing a book.

Conceptual Metaphor

KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION AS A PHYSICAL COMMODITY (whose production line has ceased).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calque "вне печати". Use "снят с печати" or, more naturally, "не издаётся" or "распродан (и более не издается)".

Common Mistakes

Using 'out-of-print' for temporarily unavailable items (use 'out of stock'). Confusing it with 'outdated'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

I couldn't order it from the publisher because it has been for over a decade.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary implication of a book being 'out-of-print'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, if a publisher decides to reissue it or a new publisher acquires the rights, a book can come back into print.
: No. 'Out-of-print' is a commercial status. 'Public domain' refers to expired copyright. A book can be in-print but public domain (e.g., a classic published by many houses), or out-of-print but still under copyright.
: Check with specialist second-hand booksellers, online marketplaces for used books, and library archives.
: Traditionally, no; it refers to physical prints. However, the concept is now extended to e-books that are withdrawn from sale by the publisher or platform.