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Outlay: meaning, definitions and examples

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outlay

 

[ˈaʊtleɪ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

financial expenditure

An outlay refers to the amount of money spent on a particular project, purchase, or investment. It is the total cost incurred in order to achieve a specific goal or outcome.

Synonyms

cost, expenditure, expense, investment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outlay

This term is typically used in financial or business contexts to describe the initial spending necessary to start a project or purchase assets. It often has a formal tone.

  • The initial outlay for starting the business was substantial
  • The outlay required for new equipment will be covered by our budget
expenditure

This formal term is often used in business, government, and academic settings to describe spending, especially when it involves detailed accounting or budgets.

  • The government’s expenditure on healthcare has increased this year
  • Our company needs to reduce its expenditure to remain profitable
expense

Commonly used in everyday situations, this term describes any item or activity that requires spending money. It can refer to both personal and business finances.

  • Travel expenses are covered by the company
  • We need to cut unnecessary expenses to save money
cost

This is a general term used in everyday language and can refer to the amount of money required to purchase something. It’s versatile and applies to various situations.

  • The cost of the new phone is quite high
  • What is the cost of attending this course?
investment

This word is often associated with finance and business, specifically with spending money with the expectation of future financial returns or benefits.

  • Real estate can be a good investment
  • They made a significant investment in new technologies

Examples of usage

  • The company made a significant outlay for the new office building.
  • Our outlay for the marketing campaign was higher than anticipated.
  • She carefully calculated the outlay for her upcoming trip.
  • The outlay for the renovation of the house exceeded the initial budget.
  • The government's outlay for infrastructure improvements was substantial.
Context #2 | Verb

to spend money on something

To outlay means to spend money on a particular item, project, or activity. It involves allocating funds for a specific purpose.

Synonyms

allocate, expend, invest, spend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outlay

Used mainly in financial or business contexts to refer to the amount of money spent on a particular project or purchase. It's often a one-time expense or a large investment.

  • The initial outlay for the new office building was substantial.
  • The outlay for the new equipment was higher than expected.
spend

Applied in everyday situations to describe the act of using money to buy goods or services, or using time and energy. It's the most common and general term among the given words.

  • She likes to spend her weekends traveling.
  • He spent all his savings on a new car.
allocate

Applied in situations where resources, including money, are being distributed or assigned to different purposes or departments. Often used in formal or organizational settings.

  • The manager decided to allocate more funds to the marketing department.
  • Resources were allocated to various community projects.
expend

Commonly used in more formal settings or documentation to describe the act of using up resources, especially money, energy, or effort, often for a specific purpose.

  • She expended a lot of time and energy on this project.
  • Significant funds were expended to renovate the old school.
invest

Used when money is put into something with the expectation of achieving some benefit or profit in the future. Can refer to financial investments as well as time and effort.

  • They decided to invest in renewable energy sources.
  • He invested a lot of time in his education.

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to outlay a large sum for research and development.
  • She outlaid a considerable amount for the purchase of a new car.
  • We need to carefully plan how we will outlay our budget for the coming year.
  • He outlaid his savings on a round-the-world trip.
  • They outlayed a portion of their earnings for charitable causes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Old English, where 'out' means outside or external and 'lay' refers to placing or setting down.
  • It originally described laying out money for expenses or investments, showing its financial roots.
  • The term has been in use since the 16th century, evolving in meaning alongside economic concepts.

Finance

  • Outlay is crucial for budgeting, as it helps individuals and businesses track their spending.
  • In investment contexts, outlays can refer to initial costs when acquiring new assets or projects.
  • Understanding outlay variations is essential for cash flow analysis, as it helps predict future financial needs.

Education

  • In project management, outlays must be carefully planned to ensure resources are allocated effectively.
  • Educational institutions often have outlay budgets for specific programs, affecting their operations and offerings.
  • Analyzing the outlay can be part of a school's financial literacy curriculum, teaching students about budgeting.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures may have varied approaches to outlay, influenced by social norms around spending.
  • In some societies, collective outlay is common for community projects, showcasing shared investment values.
  • Understanding societal views on outlay can help in recognizing economic behaviors and trends.

Psychology

  • People’s attitudes toward outlay can reveal their financial behaviors, such as saving versus spending tendencies.
  • The concept of outlay is tied to the psychology of risk; some individuals may fear spending, while others are more willing.
  • Studies show that perceived value in expenditures can significantly affect decision-making related to outlay.

Translations

Translations of the word "outlay" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desembolso

🇮🇳 व्यय

🇩🇪 Ausgabe

🇮🇩 pengeluaran

🇺🇦 витрати

🇵🇱 wydatek

🇯🇵 支出 (ししゅつ)

🇫🇷 dépense

🇪🇸 desembolso

🇹🇷 harcama

🇰🇷 지출 (지출)

🇸🇦 نفقات

🇨🇿 výdaje

🇸🇰 výdavky

🇨🇳 支出 (zhīchū)

🇸🇮 izdatki

🇮🇸 útgjöld

🇰🇿 шығындар

🇬🇪 ხარჯები

🇦🇿 xərclər

🇲🇽 desembolso

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,369 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.