reach out

present singular third person reaches out · participle present reaching out · participle past reached out · past reached out

1. intransitiveTo extend one's hand(s) forward; to reach for something.

   He reached out to catch the falling snowflake.

2. intransitiveTo ask for help.

   His drug overdose was just him reaching out to you.

   1 more example

   Reach out, touch faith!

   1989, “Personal Jesus”, in Martin L. Gore (lyrics), Personal Jesus, performed by Depeche Mode

3. intransitiveTo make more friends, to increase one's group of friends or acquaintances.

   Volunteering projects can be good ways to reach out.

4. intransitivewith toTo try to contact someone, especially in order to give or get information, help, support, etc.

   Feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to.

   3 more examples

   We're reaching out to key clients to inform them of our new promotional package.

   The Chronicle reached out to Neely for comment about the emails Saturday afternoon, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

   2018 January 26, Bre Bradham, Nathan Luzum, Xinchen Li and Kenrick Cai, "Grad program director steps down after warning students not to speak Chinese" The Chronicle (Duke University:)

   CNN has reached out to Jones but has not received a response.

   2025 March 13, Hilary Whiteman, “US tourist filmed running off with baby wombat flees Australia after visa threat”, in CNN