debut
Americannoun
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a first public appearance on a stage, on television, etc.
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the first appearance of something, as a new product.
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(of a young woman) a formal introduction and entrance into society, as at an annual ball.
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the beginning of a profession, career, etc.
verb (used without object)
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to make a debut, as in society or in a performing art.
She decided to debut with several other violinists.
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to appear for the first time, as on the market.
A new product will debut next month.
verb (used with object)
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to perform (something) for the first time before an audience.
He didn't know when the orchestra would debut his new symphony.
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to place on the market for the first time; introduce.
adjective
noun
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the first public appearance of an actor, musician, etc, or the first public presentation of a show
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( as modifier )
debut album
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the presentation of a debutante
verb
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has debutedperfect 3rd person singular
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have debutedperfect
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has been debutingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am debutingprogressive 1st person singular
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are debutingprogressive
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is debutingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been debutingperfect progressive
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debutingparticiple
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debutssingular 3rd person
Past
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had debutedperfect
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had been debutingperfect progressive
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was debutingprogressive singular
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debutedsimple
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were debutingprogressive plural
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debutedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of debut
1745–55; < French début, derivative of débuter to make the first stroke in a game, make one's first appearance, equivalent to dé- de- + -buter, verbal derivative of but goal; see butt 2
Explanation
A debut is a first appearance, a launch, or public introduction. So before you make your big debut at the office, check and make sure you don't have spinach in your teeth. Perhaps you’ve heard of debutantes making their official debut into society, or actresses and actors making their debut on stage. A fun fact: debut and premiere are often thought to be interchangeable, but they’re not. A debut, as you now know, is a first public appearance. But a premiere, while also a “first,” isn't necessarily live. When a movie opens or an interview is broadcast for the first time, they're called premieres.
Vocabulary lists containing debut
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English Words Derived from French, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
DIALLO’S DEBUT: Redshirt freshman guard Hamidou Diallo enrolled in January amid expectations of joining Fox, Monk and Isaiah Briscoe in the Wildcats’ backcourt.
From Washington Times • Oct. 30, 2017
COATNEY’S DEBUT: Ole Miss defensive tackle Josiah Coatney had an impressive debut for the Rebels, making five tackles in his first game, including two for a loss.
From Washington Times • Sep. 8, 2017
SMITH’S DEBUT: Smith is a likely one-and-done prospect, a player that Gottfried described bluntly as “the best guard in the country. Period. Hands down.”
From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2016
ROOF'S DEBUT: Not that it's any guarantee, but the forecast does not call for any rain.
From US News • Aug. 29, 2016
MANFRED’S DEBUT: This year’s event marks the first for the new commissioner, who took over for the retired Bud Selig in January.
From Washington Times • Jun. 8, 2015
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
