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; see -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.
China may be the focus of today’s biggest headlines, but there’s important news coming out of Washington, too.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
He was a free agent at the time the essay was published, and so it remained unclear whether coming out would end his NBA career.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Schmit skillfully weaves in mental health and the quiet, complicated calculus of coming out in a hyper-public sport.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
A sluggish U.S. labor market appears to be coming out of its torpor.
From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026
Mrs. Nardo was coming out of the store.
From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene
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.
