Synonyms

outcome

American

[out-kuhm] / ˈaʊtˌkʌm /

noun

a final product or end result; consequence; issue.
a conclusion reached through a process of logical thinking.

outcome British

/ ˈaʊtˌkʌm /

noun

something that follows from an action, dispute, situation, etc; result; consequence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See end ¹.

Etymology

Origin of outcome

First recorded in 1175–1225, outcome is from the Middle English word utcume. See out-, come

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.

The government's move to "call in" the application means ministers rather than Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will decide the outcome.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“The more realistic outcome is that alternatives become a modest ‘sleeve’ inside professionally managed options—target-date funds, multi-asset portfolios, or white-label funds in large plans.”

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But its first month didn’t decide the strategic outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

But worse yet, they said, the outcome “would cast a shadow over the citizenship of millions upon millions of Americans, going back generations.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

And then she squeals into the phone and tells me about some weird outcome of a reality show about hoarders.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023