outcome
Americannoun
-
a final product or end result; consequence; issue.
-
a conclusion reached through a process of logical thinking.
noun
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
Explanation
The result of something, or the consequence of it, is the outcome. If your oldest child announces that your youngest child has climbed onto the roof with a handmade set of wings, you should probably not expect a good outcome. Better run! The noun outcome refers to the result of a process, but recently, when joined with the word "based", it has become jargon within a variety of industries and you'll see uses like outcome-based medicine and outcome-based budgeting. Outcome-based education, for example, rewards schools and teachers whose students meet certain goals on standardized tests, although critics argue this robs teachers and students of creativity.
Vocabulary lists containing outcome
List 10
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100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
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Chapter 18: The Reconstruction Era
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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.
"No loss of life should ever be the outcome of a retail security incident," they said, adding it recognises the "deep hurt and concern this tragedy has caused".
From BBC • May 21, 2026
“The outcome is, we’re going to lose these and other fish that exist nowhere else on Earth.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
The researchers concluded that separate dinosaur lineages likely reached the same outcome through different evolutionary and developmental pathways.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
Four of 12 voting officials, however, opposed the outcome, the largest number of dissents since 1992.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
On the contrary, there is often only one path through the debate which is capable of producing a stable outcome.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
