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outset

The start or beginning of a process, event, or period of time.
[C/U] Both

Refers to the absolute beginning of a venture or process, often emphasizing the conditions, expectations, or attitudes present at the moment of initiation.

Unlike 'start' or 'beginning', which are neutral and broad, 'outset' is almost always used in the context of a planned activity, project, or relationship. It carries a slight formal tone and is frequently used retrospectively to reflect on whether something was obvious from the very first moment.

It is most commonly seen in the phrase "from the outset," functioning as a temporal marker to establish a baseline for how a situation evolved over time.

Countable when referring to a specific starting point of a project. Uncountable when referring to the general concept of beginning.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon in a quiet office cubicle, texting while David is presenting in a meeting.
Sarah

David's totally winging this. I knew it from the outset.

Sarah
Mark
Mark

Fr, he's just yapping at this point.

💡
Sarah uses 'outset' to express that David's lack of preparation was obvious from the very beginning of the project. Mark responds with Gen-Z slang ('Fr' for 'for real' and 'yapping' for talking aimlessly), highlighting their shared frustration and casual coworker bond.

Meanings

Noun

The start or beginning of a process, event, or period of time.

It was clear from the outset that the project would be challenging.

Related Words

beginningstartcommencementinceptiononsetendconclusionfinishterminationcloseoriginthresholdlaunchinitiationprelude
Last Updated: May 2026Report an Error