Blowout vs. Blow Out
“Blowout” is a closed noun for several events or results, and Cambridge also records “blow-out” as a noun variant. “Blow out” is the two-word phrasal verb, including the sense of extinguishing a flame.
Use “blowout” for the noun in common modern uses; Cambridge also documents the hyphenated noun variant “blow-out.” Use “blow out” as the phrasal verb, such as extinguishing a flame.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| name an event/result | blowout (or documented noun variant blow-out) | use a noun form |
| perform an action such as extinguishing | blow out | use the two-word phrasal verb |
Quick tests
Noun-or-verb test
Can the expression take verb tense in the sentence, or is it naming an event/result?
If yes: For the noun, use “blowout” or the documented noun variant required by your style.
If no: For the verb, use “blow out.”
Caveat: Cambridge documents both “blowout” and “blow-out” as noun forms; the key contrast here is noun versus phrasal verb.
Examples
The tyre suffered a blowout on the highway.
“Blowout” names the event.
Please blow out the candle before you leave.
“Blow out” is the phrasal verb.
She blew out the candles.
The spaced verb inflects normally for tense.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the documented noun or modifier form when naming a thing, result, event, or concept; use the spaced form when the words function as a verb.
Fast Test
If the expression can take ordinary verb tense or inflection in the sentence, the spaced verb form is usually the relevant choice.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge records “blowout” and also “blow-out” as noun forms; “blow out” is the phrasal verb.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Blowout — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Closed noun “blowout” plus documented hyphenated noun variant “blow-out”
- Blow out — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb “blow out” for extinguishing a flame and related verb uses