Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

outset

/ˈaʊtsɛt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.44 in modern English

Syllables: out-set
IPA: /ˈaʊtsɛt/

6

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An onset; the beginning or initial stage of something.

verb

To cause (a design element) to extend around the outside of something else, the opposite of being inset.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"He agreed and understood from the outset, so don't bother explaining again."
"At the first outset, heavy, miry ground and a matted, marish vegetation greatly delayed our progress; […]"
"It was opened on July 1, 1903, and worked by the former Highland Railway from the outset."
"Six successive defeats had left them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table but, clearly under instructions to attack from the outset, Bolton started far the brighter."

Etymology

From out- + set, replacing earlier outsetting.

Word Breakdown

Prefix: out

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

outsets (plural) outsets (present, singular) outsetting (participle, present)

Phrases

at the outset the outset

Synonyms

beginning commencement first get-go start kickoff starting time showtime offset

Questions

How do you pronounce outset?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈaʊtsɛt/.
What does outset mean?: An onset; the beginning or initial stage of something.
Where does outset come from?: From out- + set, replacing earlier outsetting.

How to pronounce outset

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “outset”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈaʊtsɛt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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