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definitions
  • synonyms

outing

[ou-ting]
See more synonyms for outing on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a pleasure trip, excursion, picnic, or the like: the annual outing for the senior class.
  2. a public appearance, as by a participant in an athletic contest or event: The new player scored spectacularly in his second outing with the team.
  3. the intentional exposure of a secret homosexual, especially a prominent figure.
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Origin of outing

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at out, -ing1

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. jaunt.

out

[out]
adverb
  1. away from, or not in, the normal or usual place, position, state, etc.: out of alphabetical order; to go out to dinner.
  2. away from one's home, country, work, etc., as specified: to go out of town.
  3. in or into the outdoors: to go out for a walk.
  4. to a state of exhaustion, extinction, or depletion: to pump a well out.
  5. to the end or conclusion; to a final decision or resolution: to say it all out.
  6. to a point or state of extinction, nonexistence, etc.: to blow out the candle; a practice on the way out.
  7. in or into a state of neglect, disuse, etc.; not in current vogue or fashion: That style has gone out.
  8. so as not to be in the normal or proper position or state; out of joint: His back went out after his fall.
  9. in or into public notice or knowledge: The truth is out at last.
  10. seeking openly and energetically to do or have: to be out for a good time.
  11. not in present possession or use, as on loan: The librarian said that the book was still out.
  12. on strike: The miners go out at midnight.
  13. so as to project or extend: to stretch out; stick your tongue out.
  14. in or into activity, existence, or outward manifestation: A rash came out on her arm.
  15. from a specified source or material: made out of scraps.
  16. from a state of composure, satisfaction, or harmony: to be put out over trifles.
  17. in or into a state of confusion, vexation, dispute, variance, or unfriendliness: to fall out about trifles.
  18. so as to deprive or be deprived: to be cheated out of one's money.
  19. so as to use the last part of: to run out of gas.
  20. from a number, stock, or store: to point out the errors.
  21. aloud or loudly: to cry out.
  22. with completeness or effectiveness: to fill out.
  23. thoroughly; completely; entirely: The children tired me out.
  24. so as to obliterate or make undecipherable: to cross out a misspelling; to ink out.
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adjective
  1. not at one's home or place of employment; absent: I stopped by to visit you last night, but you were out.
  2. not open to consideration; out of the question: I wanted to go by plane, but all the flights are booked, so that's out.
  3. wanting; lacking; without: We had some but now we're out.
  4. removed from or not in effective operation, play, a turn at bat, or the like, as in a game: He's out for the season because of an injury.
  5. no longer having or holding a job, public office, etc.; unemployed; disengaged (usually followed by of): to be out of work.
  6. inoperative; extinguished: The elevator is out. Are the lights out?
  7. finished; ended: before the week is out.
  8. not currently stylish, fashionable, or in vogue: Fitted waistlines are out this season.
  9. unconscious; senseless: Two drinks and he's usually out.
  10. not in power, authority, or the like: a member of the out party.
  11. Baseball.
    1. (of a batter) not succeeding in getting on base: He was out at first on an attempted bunt.
    2. (of a base runner) not successful in an attempt to advance a base or bases: He was out in attempting to steal second base.
  12. beyond fixed or regular limits; out of bounds: The ball was out.
  13. having a pecuniary loss or expense to an indicated extent: The company will be out millions of dollars if the new factory doesn't open on schedule.
  14. incorrect or inaccurate: His calculations are out.
  15. not in practice; unskillful from lack of practice: Your bow hand is out.
  16. beyond the usual range, size, weight, etc. (often used in combination): an outsize bed.
  17. exposed; made bare, as by holes in one's clothing: out at the knees.
  18. at variance; at odds; unfriendly: They are out with each other.
  19. moving or directed outward; outgoing: the out train.
  20. not available, plentiful, etc.: Mums are out till next fall.
  21. external; exterior; outer.
  22. located at a distance; outlying: We sailed to six of the out islands.
  23. Cricket. not having its innings: the out side.
  24. of or relating to the playing of the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course (opposed to in): His out score on the second round was 33.
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preposition
  1. (used to indicate movement or direction from the inside to the outside of something): He looked out the window. She ran out the door.
  2. (used to indicate location): The car is parked out back.
  3. (used to indicate movement away from a central point): Let's drive out the old parkway.
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interjection
  1. begone! away!
  2. (used in radio communications to signify that the sender has finished the message and is not expecting or prepared to receive a reply.)Compare over(def 52).
  3. Archaic. (an exclamation of abhorrence, indignation, reproach, or grief (usually followed by upon): Out upon you!
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noun
  1. a means of escape or excuse, as from a place, punishment, retribution, responsibility, etc.: He always left himself an out.
  2. a person who lacks status, power, or authority, especially in relation to a particular group or situation.
  3. Usually outs. persons not in office or political power (distinguished from in).
  4. Baseball. a put-out.
  5. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that does not land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to in).
  6. something that is out, as a projecting corner.
  7. Printing.
    1. the omission of a word or words.
    2. the word or words omitted.
  8. Northern British Dialect. an outing.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to go or come out.
  2. to become public, evident, known, etc.: The truth will out.
  3. to make known; tell; utter (followed by with): Out with the truth!
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verb (used with object)
  1. to eject or expel; discharge; oust.
  2. to intentionally expose (a secret homosexual, a spy, etc.).
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Idioms
  1. all out, with maximum effort; thoroughly or wholeheartedly: They went all out to finish by Friday.
  2. be on the/atouts with, Informal. to be estranged from (another person); be unfriendly or on bad terms with: He is on the outs with his brother.
  3. out and away, to a surpassing extent; far and away; by far: It was out and away the best apple pie she had ever eaten.
  4. out for, aggressively determined to acquire, achieve, etc.: He's out for all the money he can get.
  5. out from under, out of a difficult situation, especially of debts or other obligations: The work piled up while I was away and I don't know how I'll ever get out from under.
  6. out of,
    1. not within: out of the house.
    2. beyond the reach of: The boat's passengers had sailed out of hearing.
    3. not in a condition of: out of danger.
    4. so as to deprive or be deprived of.
    5. from within or among: Take the jokers out of the pack.
    6. because of; owing to: out of loyalty.
    7. foaled by (a dam): Grey Dancer out of Lady Grey.
  7. out of it, Informal.
    1. not part of or acceptable within an activity, social group, or fashion: She felt out of it because none of her friends were at the party.
    2. not conscious; drunk or heavily drugged.
    3. not alert or clearheaded; confused; muddled.
    4. eliminated from contention: If our team loses two more games, we'll be out of it.
  8. out of sight. sight(def 25).
  9. out of trim, Nautical. (of a ship) drawing excessively at the bow or stern.
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Origin of out

before 900; (adv.) Middle English; Old English ūt; cognate with Dutch uit, German aus, Old Norse, Gothic ūt; akin to Sanskrit ud-; (adj., interjection, and preposition) Middle English, from the adv.; (v.) Middle English outen, Old English ūtian to put out, cognate with Old Frisian ūtia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

expeditionpicnicvacationexcursionspindrivejauntroundaboutjunketairingweekenddisclosureannouncementproclamationdeclarationrevealingdemystification

Examples from the Web for outing

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Coupeau, however, considered that their outing could not end like that.

    L'Assommoir

    Emile Zola

  • The outing had been projected a long time, and was to be the last of the season.

    Therese Raquin

    Emile Zola

  • I came here in the first place just to enjoy a pleasant summer's outing.

    The Gaunt Gray Wolf

    Dillon Wallace

  • I told one or two, in case—they do so simply love an outing.

  • When she returned, for she did come back alone, there were allusions made to that outing.

    Chance

    Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for outing

outing

noun
  1. a short outward and return journey; trip; excursion
  2. informal the naming by homosexuals of other prominent homosexuals, often against their will
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out

adverb
  1. (often used as a particle) at or to a point beyond the limits of some location; outsideget out at once
  2. (particle) out of consciousnessshe passed out at the sight of blood
  3. (particle) used to indicate a burst of activity as indicated by the verbfever broke out
  4. (particle) used to indicate obliteration of an objectthe graffiti were painted out
  5. (particle) used to indicate an approximate drawing or descriptionsketch out; chalk out
  6. public; revealedthe secret is out
  7. (often used as a particle) away from one's custody or ownership, esp on hireto let out a cottage
  8. on sale or on view to the publicthe book is being brought out next May
  9. (of a young woman) in or into polite societyLucinda had a fabulous party when she came out
  10. (of the sun, stars, etc) visible
  11. (of a jury) withdrawn to consider a verdict in private
  12. (particle) used to indicate exhaustion or extinctionthe sugar's run out; put the light out
  13. (particle) used to indicate a goal or object achieved at the end of the action specified by the verbhe worked it out; let's fight it out, then!
  14. (preceded by a superlative) existingthe friendliest dog out
  15. an expression in signalling, radio, etc, to indicate the end of a transmission
  16. Australian and NZ archaic in or to Australia or New Zealandhe came out last year
  17. out of
    1. at or to a point outsideout of his reach
    2. away from; not instepping out of line; out of focus
    3. because of, motivated bydoing it out of jealousy
    4. from (a material or source)made out of plastic
    5. not or no longer having any of (a substance, material, etc)we're out of sugar
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adjective (postpositive)
  1. not or not any longer worth consideringthat plan is out because of the weather
  2. not allowedsmoking on duty is out
  3. (also prenominal) not in vogue; unfashionablethat sort of dress is out these days
  4. (of a fire or light) no longer burning or providing illuminationthe fire is out
  5. not workingthe radio's out
  6. unconscioushe was out for two minutes
  7. out to it Australian and NZ informal asleep or unconscious, esp because drunk
  8. not in; not at homecall back later, they're out now
  9. desirous of or intent on (something or doing something)I'm out for as much money as I can get
  10. Also: out on strike on strikethe machine shop is out
  11. (in several games and sports) denoting the state in which a player is caused to discontinue active participation, esp in some specified role
  12. used up; exhaustedour supplies are completely out
  13. worn into holesthis sweater is out at the elbows
  14. inaccurate, deficient, or discrepantout by six pence
  15. not in office or authorityhis party will be out at the election
  16. completed or concluded, as of timebefore the year is out
  17. in flowerthe roses are out now
  18. in arms, esp, in rebellionone of his ancestors was out in the Forty-Five
  19. (also prenominal) being outthe out position on the dial
  20. informal not concealing one's homosexuality
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preposition
  1. out of; out throughhe ran out the door
  2. archaic, or dialect outside; beyondhe comes from out our domain
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interjection
    1. an exclamation, usually peremptory, of dismissal, reproach, etc
    2. (in wireless telegraphy) an expression used to signal that the speaker is signing off
  2. out with it a command to make something known immediately, without missing any details
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noun
  1. mainly US a method of escape from a place, difficult situation, punishment, etc
  2. baseball an instance of the putting out of a batter; putout
  3. printing
    1. the omission of words from a printed text; lacuna
    2. the words so omitted
  4. ins and outs See in 1 (def. 30)
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verb
  1. (tr) to put or throw out
  2. (intr) to be made known or effective despite efforts to the contrary (esp in the phrase will out)the truth will out
  3. (tr) informal (of homosexuals) to expose (a public figure) as being a fellow homosexual
  4. (tr) informal to expose something secret, embarrassing, or unknown about (a person)he was eventually outed as a talented goal scorer
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Word Origin

Old English ūt; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse ūt, Old High German ūz, German aus

usage

The use of out as a preposition, though common in American English, is regarded as incorrect in British English: he climbed out of (not out) a window; he went out through the door
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 outing

n.

late 14c., "action of going out;" mid-15c., "act of putting out;" verbal noun from out (v.). Meaning "airing, excursion, pleasure trip" is from 1821.

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out

v.

Old English utian "expel, put out" (see out (adv.)); used in many senses over the years. Meaning "to expose as a closet homosexual" is first recorded 1990 (as an adjective meaning "openly avowing one's homosexuality" it dates from 1970s; see closet); sense of "disclose to public view, reveal, make known" has been present since mid-14c.

Eufrosyne preyde Þat god schulde not outen hire to nowiht. [Legendary of St. Euphrosyne, c.1350]

Related: Outed; outing.

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out

n.

1620s, "a being out" (of something), from out (adv.). From 1860 in baseball sense; from 1919 as "means of escape; alibi."

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out

adv.

Old English ut "out, without, outside," common Germanic (cf. Old Norse, Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Gothic ut, Middle Dutch uut, Dutch uit, Old High German uz, German aus), from PIE root *ud- "up, out, up away" (cf. Sanskrit ut "up, out," uttarah "higher, upper, later, northern;" Avestan uz- "up, out," Old Irish ud- "out," Latin usque "all the way to, without interruption," Greek hysteros "the latter," Russian vy- "out"). Meaning "into public notice" is from 1540s. As an adjective from c.1200. Meaning "unconscious" is attested from 1898, originally in boxing. Sense of "not popular or modern" is from 1966. As a preposition from mid-13c.

Sense in baseball (1860) was earlier in cricket (1746). Adverbial phrase out-and-out "thoroughly" is attested from early 14c.; adjective usage is attested from 1813; out-of-the-way (adj.) "remote, secluded" is attested from late 15c. Out-of-towner "one not from a certain place" is from 1911. Shakespeare's It out-herods Herod ("Hamlet") reflects Herod as stock braggart and bully in old religious drama and was widely imitated 19c. Out to lunch "insane" is student slang from 1955; out of this world "excellent" is from 1938; out of sight "excellent, superior" is from 1891.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with outing

out

In addition to the idioms beginning with out

  • out and about
  • out and away
  • out at the elbows
  • out back
  • out cold
  • out for, be
  • out for the count
  • out from under
  • out front
  • out in left field
  • out in the cold
  • out in the open
  • out like a light
  • out loud
  • out of a clear blue sky
  • out of, be
  • out of bounds
  • out of breath
  • out of business
  • out of character
  • out of circulation
  • out of commission
  • out of condition
  • out of control
  • out of date
  • out of fashion
  • out of favor
  • out of gas
  • out of hand
  • out of harm's way
  • out of humor
  • out of it
  • out of joint
  • out of keeping
  • out of key
  • out of kilter
  • out of line
  • out of luck
  • out of nowhere
  • out of one's
  • out of one's depth
  • out of one's element
  • out of one's hair
  • out of one's mind
  • out of one's shell
  • out of one's system
  • out of one's way
  • out of order
  • out of phase
  • out of place
  • out of pocket
  • out of practice
  • out of print
  • out of proportion
  • out of reach
  • out of season
  • out of shape
  • out of sight
  • out of sorts
  • out of square
  • out of step
  • out of stock
  • out of the blue
  • out of the corner of one's eye
  • out of the frying pan into the fire
  • out of the hole
  • out of the loop
  • out of the mouths of babes
  • out of the ordinary
  • out of the picture
  • out of the question
  • out of the rain
  • out of the running
  • out of the way
  • out of the window
  • out of the woods
  • out of the woodwork
  • out of thin air
  • out of this world
  • out of touch
  • out of town
  • out of turn
  • out of wedlock
  • out of whack
  • out of whole cloth
  • out of work
  • out on a limb
  • out on bail
  • out on one's ear
  • out on the town
  • outside of
  • out to lunch
  • out with it

also see:

  • ace out
  • act out
  • all out
  • ask out
  • back out
  • bail out
  • bang out
  • bawl out
  • bear out
  • beat one's brains out
  • beat out
  • belt out
  • bent out of shape
  • black out
  • bliss out
  • blot out
  • blow one's brains out
  • blow out
  • blurt out
  • bottom out
  • bow out
  • branch out
  • brave out
  • break out
  • break out of
  • bring out
  • bug out
  • bum out
  • burn out
  • burst into (out)
  • buy out
  • call out
  • camp out
  • cancel out
  • card in (out)
  • carry out
  • cast out
  • check out
  • chew out
  • chicken out
  • chill out
  • churn out
  • clean out
  • clear out
  • clock in (out)
  • close out
  • come out
  • come out ahead
  • come out in the wash
  • come out of
  • come out with
  • conk out
  • cool off (out)
  • cop out
  • count out
  • crank out
  • crap out
  • crop out
  • cry (out) for
  • cut it out
  • cut out
  • day after day (day in, day out)
  • deal out
  • deck out
  • die out
  • dig out
  • dine out on
  • dish out
  • do out of
  • dope out
  • down and out
  • drag on (out)
  • draw out
  • drop out
  • drown out
  • drum out
  • dry out
  • duck out
  • ease out
  • eat someone out of house and home
  • eat one's heart out
  • eat out
  • eat out of one's hand
  • edge out
  • eke out
  • fade out
  • fall out
  • farm out
  • far out
  • feel out
  • ferret out
  • fight it out
  • figure out
  • fill out
  • find out
  • fish out
  • fish out of water
  • fit out
  • fizzle out
  • flake out
  • flat out
  • flesh out
  • flip one's lid (out)
  • flunk out
  • follow out
  • for crying out loud
  • fork over (out)
  • freak out
  • freeze out
  • fresh out of
  • get out
  • get out of
  • get the lead out
  • give out
  • go out
  • go out of one's way
  • gross out
  • grow out of
  • gut it out
  • hammer out
  • hand out
  • hang out
  • hang out one's shingle
  • hang out to dry
  • hash over (out)
  • have an out
  • have it out
  • have one's work cut out
  • head out
  • hear out
  • heart goes out to
  • help out
  • hide out
  • hire out
  • hit out
  • hold out
  • in (out of) favor
  • in one ear and out the other
  • in (out of) one's element
  • in (out of) one's hair
  • in (out of) print
  • in (out of) reach
  • ins and outs
  • inside out
  • into (out of) thin air
  • in (out of) tune
  • iron out
  • jury is still out
  • keep an eye out
  • kick out
  • knock out
  • knock the bottom out
  • lash out
  • lay out
  • leave out
  • let out
  • let the cat out of the bag
  • light out
  • like a bat out of hell
  • live out
  • lock out
  • log in (out)
  • look out
  • look out for
  • lose out
  • luck out
  • make a mountain out of a molehill
  • make capital out of
  • make out
  • max out
  • mellow out
  • miss out on
  • murder will out
  • muster in (out)
  • nose out
  • nose out of joint
  • odd man out
  • on the outs
  • on the way out
  • opt out
  • pan out
  • parcel out
  • pass out
  • pay out
  • peter out
  • phase in (out)
  • pick out
  • pig it (out)
  • played out
  • play out
  • point out
  • poop out
  • pound out
  • pour out
  • price out of the market
  • print out
  • prove out
  • psych out
  • pull out
  • pull out all the stops
  • pull out of a hat
  • pull the rug out
  • punch in (out)
  • put one out
  • put oneself out
  • put out
  • put out feelers
  • put someone out of his or her misery
  • put out to grass
  • puzzle out
  • rack out
  • rain out
  • read out of
  • ride out
  • right out
  • right-side out
  • roll out
  • root out
  • round off (out)
  • rough out
  • rub out
  • rule out
  • run out of
  • run out on
  • sack in (out)
  • scare out of one's wits
  • screw someone out of
  • see out
  • sell out
  • set out
  • settle (wipe out) old scores
  • shell out
  • ship out
  • shut out
  • sign out
  • sing out
  • single out
  • sit out
  • skip out
  • sleep out
  • slip out
  • smoke out
  • snap out of it
  • sniff out
  • snuff out
  • sound out
  • space out
  • spell out
  • spin out
  • stake out
  • stamp out
  • stand out
  • start out
  • step out
  • stick one's neck out
  • stick out
  • straighten out
  • stress out
  • strike out
  • string out
  • strung out
  • swear out
  • sweat out
  • take a leaf out of someone's book
  • take it out on
  • take out
  • take the wind out of someone's sails
  • talked out
  • talk out
  • talk out of
  • tease out
  • tell tales (out of school)
  • think out
  • thrash out
  • throw out
  • time out
  • tired out
  • top out
  • trick out
  • trot out
  • truth will out
  • try out
  • tuckered out
  • tune out
  • turn out
  • wait out
  • walk out
  • want in (out)
  • washed out
  • wash out
  • wear out
  • weasel out
  • weave in and out
  • weed out
  • well out of
  • whacked out
  • wig out
  • win out
  • wipe out
  • work out
  • worm out of
  • write out
  • year in, year out
  • zap out
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.