outing

American  

[ou-ting] / ˈaʊ tɪŋ /

noun

1. a pleasure trip, excursion, picnic, or the like.

   the annual outing for the senior class.

   Synonyms:

   jaunt

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 person’s denied or secret identity, orientation, or status, especially gay sexual orientation or transgender identity.

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outing British  

/ ˈaʊtɪŋ /

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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Etymology

Origin of outing

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; out, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

During the outing, he entered the sea twice to swim.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

In a story in “Ladies’ Lunch,” an old woman, disheveled after an outing, looks in a mirror and sees “what Diane Arbus might have seen. She gazed, appalled, and being appalled pricked her interest.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

“The last outing was really good, albeit on the other side,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

While assuming that forced outing promotes children’s health and safety, the court didn’t consider evidence or develop a record on this complicated issue.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

I’m making Violet a movie of senior year as a grad gift, so documenting our last senior outing together is absolutely necessary.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• excursion
• expedition
• picnic
• vacation