ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grey out

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford Technical

phr. v.. to make a button or option on a screen look light grey so you cannot click it.

phr. v.. to render a user interface element inactive or unavailable, visually indicated by a desaturated or grey appearance; typically used in software contexts.


SIMPLE

The 'Submit' button is greyed out because I didn't finish the form.

CONTEXTUAL

If you haven't selected a file yet, the 'Delete' option will be greyed out in the menu.

COMPLEX

The system automatically greys out any restricted administrative functions when a standard user logs into the terminal.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
grey + object + out
Usage

usually used in the passive voice or as a past participle adjective.

Teaching tip

this is a highly specific technical phrasal verb; contrast it with 'disable' to show how 'grey out' describes the visual state rather than just the function.

Pitfall

The button is grey out.The button is greyed out.when describing the state of the button, you must use the past participle 'greyed'.

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