coming out
Americannoun
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a debut into society, especially a formal debut by a debutante.
-
one's acknowledgment and public disclosure of a sexual orientation or gender identity that does not conform to socially defined norms.
How did your parents respond to your coming out?
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an acknowledgment of a surprising interest or hobby, or an unexpected identification as part of a fandom, a supporter of a particular political party, etc.
Etymology
Origin of coming out
First recorded in 1805–15; noun use of verb phrase come out; -ing 1
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.
"So just know, it's nothing cheesy coming out. It ain't no obvious choices. I think it's going to be something that feels honest," he added.
From BBC
Curly wisps of hair were coming out of her French braids from all the running.
From Literature
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Just air going into me, and a heavy wind full of sorrow coming out.
From Literature
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The Midwest was not a great environment for Wolny as a young person before coming out, and moving to California was an awakening.
From MarketWatch
"We are sweating full gas. It's like you're coming out from the sauna. So it doesn't matter. I wanted to lay longer in the snow to cool down."
From Barron's
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.