coming out

or com·ing-out

[ kuhm-ing-out ]

noun

1. a debut into society, especially a formal debut by a debutante.
2. one's acknowledgment and public disclosure of a sexual orientation or gender identity that does not conform to socially defined norms:

   How did your parents respond to your coming out?

3. an acknowledgment of a surprising interest or hobby, or an unexpected identification as part of a fandom, a supporter of a particular political party, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coming out¹

First recorded in 1805–15; noun use of verb phrase come out; -ing ¹

Example Sentences

While the 2008 Beijing Games are generally remembered as a coming out moment for a resurgent China, they too were clouded by human rights issues, including a crackdown on protests in Tibet than left dozens dead.

From Time

It was framed as the first step of a coming out party for a supposedly confident Britain reengaging and readying for life after Europe.

From Quartz

The Games were a coming out moment that helped define the city we know as Tokyo today.

From Time

In his coming out message, Page mentioned his fear at being discriminated against because of his gender identity.

From Washington Blade

Some might question, of course, if that’s really enough, and if the world really needs another coming out story.

From Washington Blade

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.

From The Daily Beast

David Greenberg at Rutgers University has a book coming out next year on political spin.

From The Daily Beast

It was a coming-out story of sorts told with self-effacing un-sentimentality.

From The Daily Beast

As I was coming out, my sister [Valerie] tugged on me and said, ‘That’s the boy who kicked me off my bicycle.

From The Daily Beast

He was coming out of a relationship and was in a fragile place himself.

From The Daily Beast

While I was watching over my shoulder, three or four sandeaters coming out of the back room shoved me aside to get at him.

From Project Gutenberg

He was coming out, like myself, to sniff the air; and I was not surprised, for its sweetness after the rain was intoxicating.

From Project Gutenberg

A poor vendor of pamphlets and newspapers, coming out of a reading-room, was accused of selling books favorable to royalty.

From Project Gutenberg

The stars are coming out one by one, and the floating lights have already hoisted their never-failing signals.

From Project Gutenberg

On coming out his skin would be shining like ebony, and he would squeal with pleasure as I rubbed water down his back.

From Project Gutenberg