Timeout vs. Time Out
The safest distinction is grammatical, not a rigid universal spacing rule. “Timeout” is an established noun; “time out” is also an established phrasal verb. Some style traditions use “time-out” or the open noun “time out,” especially in nontechnical contexts.
Use “timeout” as a noun in styles that prefer the closed form, including many sports and computing contexts. Use “time out” as a phrasal verb when a program, task, or connection times out. Noun styling can also appear as “time-out” or “time out,” so follow house style.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| noun naming an official pause or timeout condition | timeout | The closed noun is established and common. |
| verb meaning stop/expire after a set period | time out | Use the open phrasal verb. |
| noun under a house style that prefers a hyphen or open form | time-out / time out | Follow the relevant style rather than inventing a universal rule. |
Quick tests
Decision test
Is the expression functioning as a verb such as “the connection will ___”?
If yes: Use “time out” as the phrasal verb.
If no: For the noun, “timeout” is established, but check house style for “time-out” or “time out.”
Caveat: Do not teach a universal one-word-versus-two-word rule for every noun context; noun styling varies by dictionary and house style.
Examples
The coach called a timeout.
“Timeout” is the noun naming a pause.
The session will time out after ten minutes of inactivity.
“Time out” is the phrasal verb.
The style guide writes the noun as time-out.
The hyphenated noun is a legitimate style variant.
Further guidance
Core difference
The closed noun is established and common.
Fast Test
Use “time out” as the phrasal verb. For the noun, “timeout” is established, but check house style for “time-out” or “time out.”
Usage Boundary
Do not teach a universal one-word-versus-two-word rule for every noun context; noun styling varies by dictionary and house style.
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.
- timeout (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Timeout is a noun for an official pause, disciplinary pause, or computing expiration condition; time-out is also an accepted noun spelling in some contexts.
- time out (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Time out is a phrasal verb in computing meaning to stop, or cause something to stop, automatically after a set interval.