come out

verb

came out; come out; coming out; comes out
Synonyms of come outnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to appear after being hidden
As it got dark, the stars came out.
b
: to become available
The show's new season comes out next month.
a new magazine has come out
c
: to become known or evident
The truth finally came out.
Their pride came out in their refusal to accept help.
2
a
: to declare oneself especially in public utterance
came out in favor of the proposal
Some former supporters have come out against him.
b
: to say openly
Why don't you come out and say what you really think?
3
a
: to turn out in an outcome : end up
Everything came out all right.
They were confident they'd come out on top.
b
used to describe the quality something has when finished
The photos came out blurry.
4
: to make a debut
5
a
: to openly declare one's sexual orientation or gender identity
came out as bisexual
decided to come out to her family
b
: to openly declare something about oneself previously kept hidden
often used with as
… blew his cover and came out as a CIA agent …William Prochnau
6
: to be said, expressed, or understood in a particular way
That's not what I meant. It didn't come out right.
coming-out noun
see also:

Examples of come out in a Sentence

in the end everything came out OK come out, come out wherever you are!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fudd is also one of the best 3-point shooters to come out of college this year. Briauna Brown, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 And 13 picks higher for Gabriela than when her brother came out of UCLA. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026 Vicente, played by Soroiz in a performance that has now collected a San Sebastián Festival Silver Shell, and Forqué, Feroz and Goya prizes in Spain, came out at 50, left his wife and daughter, and spent 25 years living openly with a partner. Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026 Ferguson initially came out against the measure in October, nixing the idea months before the House passed the measure. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for come out

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of come out was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Come out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20out. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

come out

verb
1
: to come into public view
2
: to turn out to be
everything came out all right

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