debut

American  

[dey-byoo, dih-, dey-byoo, deb-yoo] / deɪˈbju, dɪ-, ˈdeɪ bju, ˈdɛb ju /

Or début

noun

debuts plural

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

2. the first appearance of something, as a new product.

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

4. the beginning of a profession, career, etc.

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verb (used without object)

debuts, present (3rd person singular) debuted, past participle, past debuting present participle

1. to make a debut, as in society or in a performing art.

   She decided to debut with several other violinists.

2. to appear for the first time, as on the market.

   A new product will debut next month.

verb (used with object)

debuts, present (3rd person singular) debuted, past participle, past debuting present participle

1. to perform (something) for the first time before an audience.

   He didn't know when the orchestra would debut his new symphony.

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

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a first appearance.

   a debut performance; a debut record album.

debut British  

/ ˈdeɪbjuː, ˈdɛbjuː /

noun

1. 1. the first public appearance of an actor, musician, etc, or the first public presentation of a show

   2. ( as modifier )

      debut album

2. the presentation of a debutante

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verb

1. to make a debut

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• debuts
  plural

Participles

• debuting
  present
• debuted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• debut
  simple
• debuts
  simple
• have debuted
  perfect
• has debuted
  perfect
• am debuting
  progressive
• are debuting
  progressive
• is debuting
  progressive
• have been debuting
  perfect progressive
• has been debuting
  perfect progressive

Past

• debuted
  simple
• had debuted
  perfect
• was debuting
  progressive
• were debuting
  progressive
• had been debuting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will debut
  simple
• will have debuted
  perfect
• will be debuting
  progressive
• will have been debuting
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

Long Beach Poly, making its debut under first-year coach Travon Patterson, will have lots of options on defense because of its standout cornerbacks in Donte Wright and JuJu Johnson.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2026

A debut album showcasing their brand of alt-pop launched earlier this year, a summer performance at the Foyle Maritime Festival followed, before taking to the stage at this year's Stendhal Festival.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026

Her debut album included “Nobody,” composed in 1905 by vaudeville comedian Bert Williams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 11, 2026

Although according to recent media reports, the company is considering putting off its public markets debut until next year.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 11, 2026

The Ibtihaj Muhammad Barbie made her official debut at Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year Summit and awards show in New York on November 13, 2017.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• appearance
• beginning
• inauguration
• introduction
• launching
• opener
• presentation