sellout

1 of 2

noun

sell·​out ˈsel-ˌau̇t How to pronounce sellout (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of selling out
2
: something sold out
especially : something (such as a concert or contest) for which all tickets are sold
3
: one who sells out

sell out

2 of 2

verb

sold out; selling out; sells out

transitive verb

1
: to sell the goods of (a debtor) in order to satisfy creditors
2
: to sell security or commodity holdings of usually to satisfy an uncovered margin
3
a
: to sell all the available tickets for
sold out the concert
b
: to sell all of
the merchandise was quickly sold out

intransitive verb

1
: to dispose of one's goods by sale
especially : to sell one's business
2
: to betray one's cause or associates especially for personal gain
3
: to be or achieve a sellout

Examples of sellout in a Sentence

Noun The concert was a sellout. The union sees the deal as a sellout. Angry fans called him a sellout when he started appearing in television commercials. Verb the band sold out its faithful followers, abandoning its edgy style for a more commercial sound
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.
Noun
Book everything early Eclipses have been known to create sellouts and shortages. Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025 And a sellout crowd in Fort Fun seeing Timmy Chang’s Rainbow Warriors up close only made the contrasts sharper — like the edge of a cavalry saber. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
Naturally, shoes that are this popular and comfortable are bound to sell out. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 The novel strategy virtually guaranteed an instant sell out and provided tangible data of what true consumer demand was in real time. Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sellout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sellout was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sellout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sellout. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sellout

1 of 2 noun
sell·​out ˈsel-ˌau̇t How to pronounce sellout (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of selling out
2
: a show, contest, or exhibition for which all seats are sold

sell out

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)sel-ˈau̇t
: to dispose of all of one's goods by sale
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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