Takeout vs. Take Out
“Takeout” is the closed US noun for food bought from a restaurant or shop to eat elsewhere. “Take out” is the two-word phrasal verb with several senses, including removing, withdrawing, arranging, and the food-related action.
Use “takeout” as the US noun for prepared food bought to eat elsewhere (and sometimes the business selling it). Use “take out” as the phrasal verb, including removing something, withdrawing or arranging something, or buying food to eat elsewhere.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Word class / meaning | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| US noun for prepared food bought to eat elsewhere | takeout | Use the closed noun. |
| phrasal verb meaning remove, withdraw, arrange, or obtain food to eat elsewhere | take out | Use the two-word verb. |
| a business or order described with the US food noun | takeout + noun / takeout as noun | Keep the closed form when it is not functioning as the verb. |
Quick tests
US-food-noun versus verb test
Is the expression the US noun for prepared food rather than the act of taking/removing/ordering something?
If yes: Use “takeout.”
If no: When it is the phrasal verb, use “take out.”
Caveat: The food noun is specifically marked as US in the reviewed evidence; other varieties may prefer different terminology.
Examples
We picked up takeout on the way home.
“Takeout” is the US noun for prepared food eaten elsewhere.
Please take out the recycling before noon.
“Take out” is the two-word phrasal verb.
They decided to take out some food after the late meeting.
The expression is verbal here, so it remains two words.
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 “takeout” as a US noun (UK “takeaway”) and “take out” as a multi-sense 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.
- Takeout — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · US closed noun “takeout” for food bought to eat elsewhere
- Take out — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb “take out” for removing, withdrawing, arranging, or buying food to eat elsewhere