Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To shield from light; to prevent light from entering or passing through. This meaning involves creating a physical barrier against light.
   • To plan or sketch the main features of something without detail. This meaning involves creating a rough outline or preliminary plan.
   • To prevent something from being perceived or entering one's mind. This is a psychological meaning, referring to the act of suppressing memories, thoughts, or external stimuli.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Shield from light):
  • The thick curtains block out all the sunlight, making the room very dark.
  • You should wear sunglasses to block out the harmful UV rays.
• Verb (Plan or sketch roughly):
  • Let's block out the schedule for the conference before we fill in the specific speakers.
  • The architect blocked out the basic shape of the building on paper.
• Verb (Prevent from entering the mind):
  • She tried to block out the noise from the construction site so she could concentrate.
  • He has blocked out most of his childhood memories.

Advanced Usage

• "to block someone/something out": This phrasal verb structure is very common, especially for the psychological meaning. The object (the thing being blocked) comes between "block" and "out."
  • You need to block all distractions out and focus on your work.

Variants and Related Words

• Blockage (n): An obstruction.
• Blocker (n): Something that blocks (e.g., a sun blocker).
• Mental block (n): An inability to remember or think of something.

Synonyms

• Shut out: To exclude or prevent from entering. (e.g., ).
• Screen: To protect or conceal from something. (e.g., ).
• Outline: To summarize the main points or features. (e.g., ).
• Suppress: To prevent the development or expression of a feeling, memory, etc.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Block off: To close or obstruct an entrance, road, or area.
  • The police blocked off the street after the accident.
• Block up: To fill or obstruct a hole, passage, etc., so that nothing can pass through.
  • Leaves blocked up the drain.

Related Idioms

• To have a mental block: To be temporarily unable to remember something or to think clearly.
  • I have a mental block and can't remember his name.

Verb

1. indicate roughly
   • We sketched out our plan
2. shield from light
3. prevent from entering
   • block out the strong sunlight
4. plan where and when songs should be inserted into a theatrical production, or plan a theatrical production in general