Outing: meaning, definitions and examples

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outing

 

[ ˈaʊtɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social activity

An outing is a trip or a visit to a place, typically for enjoyment or socializing.

Synonyms

day out, excursion, jaunt, trip.

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Word Description / Examples
outing

Used for a short journey or excursion, often for leisure or pleasure.

  • We planned a family outing to the amusement park.
  • The team organized an outing to the new café downtown.
excursion

Often used for a trip, usually educational or leisure-related, often organized by a group.

  • The school arranged an excursion to the science museum.
  • We went on an excursion to explore the historical sites in the city.
trip

Can refer to any journey or voyage, often longer and more planned, for different purposes including leisure or business.

  • She's on a business trip to New York for the week.
  • We're planning a trip to Europe next summer.
jaunt

A short journey or trip taken for pleasure; tends to be casual and spontaneous.

  • They went on a quick jaunt to the neighboring town.
  • Our jaunt to the mountains was invigorating and unexpected.
day out

Refers to a whole day spent away from home, typically for enjoyment.

  • We had a lovely day out at the beach.
  • A day out in the countryside was just what we needed to relax.

Examples of usage

  • The school organized an outing to the zoo for the students.
  • We had a family outing at the beach last weekend.
Context #2 | Noun

revealing of a secret

An outing is the act of disclosing someone's hidden or private information, often against their will.

Synonyms

disclosure, exposure, revelation, unveiling.

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Word Description / Examples
outing

This typically means revealing someone's sexual orientation without their consent and has a negative connotation.

  • The celebrity was deeply upset by the media's outing of his private life
exposure

Used to describe the act of revealing something hidden, often negative, especially in terms of danger or public attention.

  • The exposure of the scandal led to several resignations
  • Prolonged exposure to the sun can be harmful
disclosure

Appropriate for formal or official situations involving the revelation of confidential or sensitive information.

  • The company's disclosure of financial irregularities surprised everyone
  • Full disclosure of all the terms and conditions is required
unveiling

Commonly used when introducing something new or newly discovered, often in a formal or ceremonial manner.

  • The unveiling of the new statue will take place next week
  • They held an event for the unveiling of the new software
revelation

Usually implies a surprising or enlightening piece of information being revealed, often in a dramatic way.

  • The revelation that she was adopted came as a shock
  • His book contains numerous revelations about his past

Examples of usage

  • She felt betrayed after the outing of her personal diary.
  • The outing of the company's financial records caused a scandal.
Context #3 | Noun

open declaration of one's sexual orientation

An outing is the act of revealing or making public someone's sexual orientation without their consent.

Synonyms

disclosure, exposure, revelation, unveiling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outing

Used to refer to a trip or excursion, often for leisure or pleasure. It can also mean the act of publicly revealing someone's private information, especially regarding their sexual orientation, usually without their consent and is seen negatively.

  • We are planning an outing to the beach this weekend.
  • The newspaper was criticized for the outing of a famous celebrity.
exposure

Generally refers to the state of being exposed to or uncovered by something, often used in the context of being exposed to the elements, media, or harmful substances. It can also mean the act of revealing hidden information.

  • Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage.
  • The media's exposure of the scandal led to public outrage.
disclosure

Often used in formal or legal contexts to mean the act of making information known, particularly when that information was previously private or hidden.

  • Full disclosure of financial records is required by law.
  • He made a startling disclosure about the company's practices.
unveiling

Refers to the act of revealing something new, such as a product, a piece of art, or information, often in a formal or ceremonial manner.

  • The artist's latest sculpture was met with great acclaim at its unveiling.
  • The company is planning the unveiling of its new smartphone next week.
revelation

Typically used to describe the act of revealing something surprising or previously unknown. Often has a positive or neutral connotation and is frequently used in religious or philosophical contexts.

  • The documentary was full of shocking revelations.
  • He claimed to have had a revelation that changed his life.

Examples of usage

  • The outing of the actor by the tabloids caused controversy.
  • He faced backlash after the outing of his homosexuality.

Translations

Translations of the word "outing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 passeio

🇮🇳 बाहर जाना

🇩🇪 Ausflug

🇮🇩 jalan-jalan

🇺🇦 прогулянка

🇵🇱 wycieczka

🇯🇵 外出 (がいしゅつ)

🇫🇷 sortie

🇪🇸 excursión

🇹🇷 gezi

🇰🇷 외출

🇸🇦 نزهة

🇨🇿 výlet

🇸🇰 výlet

🇨🇳 郊游 (jiāoyóu)

🇸🇮 izlet

🇮🇸 ferð

🇰🇿 серуен

🇬🇪 გასვლა

🇦🇿 gəzinti

🇲🇽 excursión

Etymology

The word 'outing' originated in the late 19th century as a term used in American English for a pleasure trip or journey. Over time, it also came to be used in the context of revealing secrets or private information. The modern usage of 'outing' in the sense of disclosing someone's sexual orientation emerged in the 20th century, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community.

See also: out, outback, outer, outlet, outside, outward, outwardly, outwards.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,854, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.