Definition

1. Verb:
   • To grant someone the temporary use of (property, a space, or an object) in exchange for a regular payment.
   • To make one's services or labor available to others for a fee.

Usage

• The verb "rent out" is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the thing or service being offered).
• It is commonly used in the context of real estate (apartments, houses, rooms) but can apply to vehicles, equipment, or personal services.
• The structure is typically: Subject + rent out + object + (to + recipient).

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • The landlord decided to rent out the vacant studio.
  • They rent out their beach house during the summer months.
• With a Recipient:
  • She rents out her garage to a neighbor for extra storage.
  • The company rents out specialized tools to construction firms.

Advanced Usage

• "rent oneself out": To offer one's own services or labor for hire.
  • As a freelance consultant, he rents himself out to various tech startups.
  • The skilled carpenter rented himself out for custom furniture projects.

Variants and Related Words

• Lease out (verb): A more formal synonym, often used for longer-term or commercial property agreements.
  • The corporation leased out the entire office building.
• Let out (verb - chiefly British English): Equivalent to "rent out" for property.
  • They let out their London flat while traveling abroad.
• Hire out (verb): Often used for renting equipment or vehicles, or for offering services. Can be synonymous with "rent out" in many contexts.
  • The shop hires out bicycles by the hour.

Synonyms

• Lease: To grant or obtain the use of property for a specified period and payment.
• Hire out: To allow the use of something, or to offer one's work, for payment.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Rent to: Often used interchangeably with "rent out to," focusing on the recipient.
  • He prefers to rent to graduate students.
• Rent from: The action from the perspective of the payer/tenant.
  • We rent our apartment from a private owner.

Notes

• The term "rent out" specifically emphasizes the action of the owner or provider making something available for rent. It contrasts with the simple verb "rent," which can mean either to pay for temporary use (as a tenant) or to grant it (as an owner). Using "rent out" clarifies the owner's active role.
• In the example "He hired himself out as a cook," the meaning is identical to "He rented himself out as a cook," indicating he offered his cooking services for a fee.

Verb

1. grant the services of or the temporary use of, for a fee
   • We rent out our apartment to tourists every year
   • He hired himself out as a cook