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outset meaning and examples

2025-08-21

Meaning

“Outset” is a noun that means the beginning or start of something. It often emphasizes the very first stage of an activity, project, or event.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: noun
  • Usually used with the preposition "at"at the outset
  • Common in formal and semi-formal contexts.

Typical sentence structures:

  • At the outset of + noun
  • From the outset

Common Phrases

  • at the outset → at the beginning
  • from the outset → right from the start

Collocations

  • at the outset of the project
  • from the outset of negotiations
  • at the outset of his career
  • difficulties at the outset
  • planned from the outset

Examples

  1. At the outset of the meeting, she introduced the agenda.
  2. We faced several challenges from the outset.
  3. The rules were made clear at the outset of the game.
  4. He showed great promise from the outset of his career.
  5. It’s important to define goals at the outset.
  6. The company invested heavily from the outset.
  7. Misunderstandings occurred at the outset of the discussion.
  8. From the outset, she was determined to succeed.
  • beginning
  • start
  • commencement
  • inception
  • kickoff (informal)