What is outing? Pronunciation and usage in English

outing means . Learn how to pronounce and use outing through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of outing

outingnoun

/ˈaʊtɪŋ//ˈaʊtɪŋ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "outing." Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a description:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈaʊtɪŋ/

Breakdown:

  • ˈaʊt - This is the stressed syllable.
    • aʊ - Pronounced like the "ow" in "cow" or "how." It's a diphthong, meaning it glides smoothly from one vowel sound to another.
  • ɪŋ - This is the unstressed syllable.
    • ɪ - Pronounced like the "i" in "bit" or "sit."
    • ŋ - This is the "ng" sound, like in "sing" or "long." It's a nasal sound – you make the sound through your nose.

How to say it step-by-step:

  1. Start with the "ow" sound: Make the sound like "cow" or "how."
  2. Add the "i" sound: Say "i" as in "bit."
  3. Finally, add the "ng" sound: Make a nasal "ng" sound as in "sing."

Putting it together: “Out-ing” – like “out” (as in “out the door”) followed by “ing.”

Tips for getting it right:

  • Emphasis: Put the stress on the first syllable ("out").
  • Nasal sound: Make sure you feel the air vibrating in your nose when you say the "ng" sound.

Resources to hear how it’s pronounced:

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Usage and examples with the word outing in English

Let's break down how to use the word "outing." It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown of its common uses:

1. A Planned Trip or Social Event (Most Common)

  • Definition: This is the most frequent use. An outing is a planned trip or social event, often for leisure or enjoyment. It's something people do together outside of their usual routines.
  • Examples:
    • "We went on an outing to the beach last weekend." (A trip to the beach)
    • "The company organized a team outing to a bowling alley." (A group activity)
    • "Let's plan an outing for the kids – maybe a zoo or a park." (A planned activity for children)
    • "They enjoyed a quiet evening outing to a local restaurant." (A short, deliberate trip)

2. A Secret Meeting (Less Common, More Formal)

  • Definition: Historically, and still sometimes used, an outing referred to a secret meeting, especially a meeting of spies or government officials. This usage is much less common now.
  • Examples:
    • "The officers went on an outing to discuss the latest intelligence reports." (Historically, this would mean a secret meeting.)
    • "After the war, the German intelligence network was dismantled, and its agents were put on an outing." (You'll mostly find this in historical texts).

3. An Appearance (Formal/Literary)

  • Definition: Occasionally, “outing” can be used to describe the appearance or performance of someone, often a celebrity.
  • Example: “Her outing at the opera was a triumph.” (Meaning her performance was excellent).

Key Points & Tips:

  • Context is Everything: Pay close attention to the sentence around “outing” to understand which meaning is intended. In modern usage, it almost always refers to a planned trip or event.
  • Formal vs. Informal: While “outing” is becoming more common in everyday speech, it is considered slightly more formal than words like “trip” or “adventure.”

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Meaning Definition Example
Planned Trip A planned leisure outing "Let's go on an outing to the mountains."
Social Event A group activity for enjoyment "The book club had an outing to a bookstore."
Secret Meeting Historically: A clandestine meeting (Rarely used now – mostly in older texts)
Appearance A performance or presentation "Her outing at the concert was stunning.”

Resources for More Information:

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  • What kind of context are you thinking about using the word "outing" in? (e.g., writing a story, conversation, essay?)

Synonyms for the word outing

Practice with vocabulary outing

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After weeks of intense project deadlines, the team decided a refreshing ______ to the botanical gardens was much needed to boost morale.
  2. The company organized an annual summer ______ for all employees, typically involving a picnic and games at a local park.
  3. Their latest scientific ______ into the Amazon rainforest aimed to discover new plant species.
  4. The extensive ______ across the continent took them through several different climate zones.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Our department is planning a short break from work to visit a local museum and have lunch together. This could best be described as a: a) conference b) convention c) outing d) pilgrimage

  2. Which of the following activities would typically qualify as a company-sponsored "outing"? (Select all that apply) a) A team-building retreat at a lakeside resort. b) A mandatory quarterly financial review meeting. c) A half-day trip to a local amusement park for employees and their families. d) An evening social event at a restaurant for new hires.

  3. After months of studying for their exams, the students desperately needed a recreational __________. a) errand b) assignment c) outing d) drill

  4. Navigating the dense jungle for three weeks in search of ancient ruins was a challenging __________. a) stroll b) outing c) expedition d) excursion

  5. The annual __________ for software developers attracts thousands of participants from around the globe to discuss new technologies. a) outing b) rendezvous c) seminar d) conference

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The team decided to take a short trip to the nearby park to celebrate their project completion. Rewrite (using "outing"):
  2. Original: Our department heads are organizing an afternoon event next month for staff to socialize outside the office. Rewrite (using "outing"):
  3. Original: Climbing Mount Everest is a perilous journey that requires extensive preparation and mental fortitude. Rewrite (do not use "outing"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. outing
  2. outing
  3. expedition
  4. journey

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) outing
  2. a) A team-building retreat at a lakeside resort. c) A half-day trip to a local amusement park for employees and their families. d) An evening social event at a restaurant for new hires.
  3. c) outing
  4. c) expedition
  5. d) conference

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team decided to have an outing to the nearby park to celebrate their project completion.
  2. Our department heads are organizing a staff outing next month for an afternoon of socializing outside the office.
  3. Climbing Mount Everest is a perilous expedition that requires extensive preparation and mental fortitude.

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