outtake
Americannoun
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a segment of film or videotape edited out of the final version, as because of a technical error.
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a recording of a song not included in the final release of a record album, as because of a technical error.
noun
Etymology
Origin of outtake
Explanation
An outtake is any scene filmed for a movie that isn't used in the final cut. If an actor forgets his lines, for example, that scene will probably end up as an outtake. Making a film is a long process that involves many steps even after the actual filming of actors reciting dialog and acting out scenes is long over. Editors cut unnecessary bits out of movies, discarding outtakes and shaping a final product. Occasionally these outtakes are interesting or funny enough that directors will include them as extras on a DVD of a movie. Outtake dates from about 1960.
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.
They do share a universe; you’ll see a glimpse of what could pass for an outtake from Devils Tower, a.k.a.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
“Production outlooks for early 2026 remain relatively flat, but some incremental output from the Permian is possible with new outtake capacity available and strong demands from the Gulf coast region.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025
Enough time appears to have passed between that epic TV showdown and this chair-coving outtake for Stewart to joke about her staple gun fixation by saying, “I'm chopping cabbage.”
From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2024
The image, an outtake from one of the company's TV adverts, showed red, green and silver hats burning in a fireplace.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2023
“Today we shared an outtake image from our Christmas Clothing and Home advert, which was recorded in August,” the statement reads.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2023
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.
