coming out
Americannoun
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a debut into society, especially a formal debut by a debutante.
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one's acknowledgment and public disclosure of a sexual orientation or gender identity that does not conform to socially defined norms.
How did your parents respond to your coming out?
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an acknowledgment of a surprising interest or hobby, or an unexpected identification as part of a fandom, a supporter of a particular political party, etc.
Etymology
Origin of coming out
First recorded in 1805–15; noun use of verb phrase come out; see -ing 1
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.
The broader market rally has a lot to do with the news coming out of President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s meeting in Beijing.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
He started his coming out essay for Sports Illustrated in 2013, by writing: "I'm a 34-year-old N.B.A. center. I'm Black and I'm gay."
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Schmit skillfully weaves in mental health and the quiet, complicated calculus of coming out in a hyper-public sport.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
A sluggish U.S. labor market appears to be coming out of its torpor.
From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026
It’s a little after eight o’clock on a brisk, crisp night inFebruary, so it’s already dark and the stars have started coming out to play.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
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.
