debut

or dé·but

[ dey-byoo, di-, dey-byoo, deb-yoo ]

/ deɪˈbyu, dɪ-, ˈdeɪ byu, ˈdɛb yu /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR debut ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a first public appearance on a stage, on television, etc.

the first appearance of something, as a new product.

(of a young woman) a formal introduction and entrance into society, as at an annual ball.

the beginning of a profession, career, etc.

verb (used without object)

to make a debut, as in society or in a performing art: She decided to debut with several other violinists.

to appear for the first time, as on the market: A new product will debut next month.

verb (used with object)

to perform (something) for the first time before an audience: He didn't know when the orchestra would debut his new symphony.

to place on the market for the first time; introduce.

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting a first appearance: a debut performance; a debut record album.

Nearby words

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 butt²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for debut

I enjoyed it, but thought it paled in comparison to their debut.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The brother of a girl who made her debut in New Orleans society was shaking his fists in excitement.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Forty-two years after its debut, The Godfather casts a long shadow over American cinema.
The Alterna-‘Godfather’: ‘A Most Violent Year’|Nick Schager|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was creative thinking like this that helped it debut at number one on Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart.
OK Go Is Helping Redefine the Music Video For the Internet Age|Lauren Schwartzberg|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The classic film that opens with a tornado sweeping through a Kansas farm made its debut 75 years ago in 1939.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: November 2|PunditFact.com|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The violence of his debut caused him to sprawl forward on his hands and knees and his hat fell off.
The Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire|Edward Sylvester Ellis
On the second day after the doctor's debut as a hunter, I accompanied the hunters to the hills.
Memoirs of Orange Jacobs|Orange Jacobs
Such was Buck Duane's debut in the little outlaw hamlet of Ord.
The Lone Star Ranger|Zane Grey
I think that was not so very long after the Mikado made its debut.
A Portrait of Old George Town|Grace Dunlop Ecker
Some new star probably, whose violin had been broken and who did not care to appear in public before the hour of his debut.
The Drums Of Jeopardy|Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for debut

debut

/ (ˈdeɪbjuː, ˈdɛbjuː) /

noun

the first public appearance of an actor, musician, etc, or the first public presentation of a show
(as modifier)debut album

the presentation of a debutante

verb (intr)

to make a debut

Word Origin for debut

C18: from French début, from Old French desbuter to play first (hence: make one's first appearance), from des- de- + but goal, target; see butt ²

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

Word Origin and History for debut

debut

1751, from French début "first appearance," a figurative use from débuter "make the first stroke at billiards," also "to lead off at bowls" (a game akin to bowling), 16c., from but "mark, goal," from Old French but "end" (see butt (n.3)). The verb is first attested 1830.

Début can only be pronounced as French, and should not be used by anyone who shrinks from the necessary effort. [Fowler]

debut

or dé·but

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of debut

Examples from the Web for debut

British Dictionary definitions for debut

debut

noun

verb (intr)

Word Origin for debut

Word Origin and History for debut

debut