[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/outset.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / outset

[← O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/O/)

# outset

«outset» in Mova's school dictionary: **the start or beginning of something** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

### part of speech

noun (the outset — singular only)

### meaning for a pupil

1) The outset is the start or beginning of something. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#m1)

2) «At the outset» means at the start; «from the outset» means from the start. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#m2)

### sense in the lessons

A slightly formal word in reading texts and exams: «From the outset it was clear the plan would fail» means from the very beginning. Everyday speech says «at the start» or «from the beginning».

### examples

- From the outset, she knew she would win. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x1)
- At the outset of the trip we had lots of energy. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x2)
- Make the rules clear at the outset. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x3)
- There were problems from the outset. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x4)
- (formal) At the outset, the tank contained 50 litres. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x5)
- He was nervous at the outset but soon relaxed. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/#x6)

### note

Used only in «at the outset» and «from the outset»; no plural. Do not confuse with «onset» (the start of something bad, like an illness) or «upset». In maths «at the outset» gives the starting amount.

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «outset» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/outset/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.