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come out — 4 meanings

One phrase, 4 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb4 meanings
come out
be releasedbecome knownappeardeclare sexual orientation

Meaning 1 · most common

be released

for books, movies, products, etc.

  • come out sth
On launch day a bookshop window is stacked with new books and a queue of customers waits as one is handed over.

To become available to the public, such as a new book, movie, or product.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The new smartphone will come out next month.

A: Have you seen the latest Marvel movie?
B: Not yet, I think it comes out this Friday.

Common mistake

Not: The book came out to the public last week.

Say: The book came out last week.

'Come out' already means 'be released to the public' — the extra phrase is redundant.

More on “be released”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I’m really looking forward to the new book by my favorite author. It’s supposed to come out in September.

Tell it apart

Her album comes out on Friday.

  • is released

The truth came out on Friday.

  • became known

Goes with

  • come out + release timing
Practice saying this
Next meaning: become known

Meaning 2

become known

information, truth, secret

  • come out sth

To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

It finally came out that he had been lying about his qualifications.

A: Did you hear what came out about the company?
B: No, what happened?

Common mistake

Not: I came out that he'd lied.

Say: It came out that he'd lied. / I found out that he'd lied.

This sense is impersonal — 'it came out that…'. For discovering it yourself, use 'find out'.

More on “become known”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, when a mistake comes out at work, it can be embarrassing but it’s important to be honest.

Tell it apart

It came out that the figures were wrong.

  • became known

The report came out on Monday.

  • was published/released

Goes with

  • come out + truth surfacing
Practice saying this
Next meaning: appear

Meaning 3

appear

become visible or attend

  • come out from/behind/into

To appear or become visible, or to go somewhere, especially after being hidden or not present.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The sun finally came out after a week of rain.

A: Is Mia here yet?
B: She just came out of the meeting room.

Common mistake

Not: Why don't you come out us tonight?

Say: Why don't you come out with us tonight?

To join someone socially it's 'come out with' — don't drop 'with'.

More on “appear”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was a child, I was shy and didn’t come out much, but now I enjoy meeting new people.

Tell it apart

The sun finally came out.

  • appeared

The results came out today.

  • were released

Goes with

  • come out + appear/join
Practice saying this
Next meaning: declare sexual orientation

Meaning 4

declare sexual orientation

  • come out sth)

To publicly reveal that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or otherwise not heterosexual, often after having kept it private.

How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After years of hiding his true self, he finally decided to come out at the age of 25.

A: Did you hear that Jamie came out last week?
B: Yes, I’m really proud of them for being so open about who they are.

Common mistake

Not: He came out himself as gay.

Say: He came out as gay. / He came out to his parents.

No reflexive — 'come out as X' or 'come out to someone'.

More on “declare sexual orientation”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In recent years, more public figures have chosen to come out, which has contributed to greater acceptance and understanding within society.

Tell it apart

She came out to her family last year.

  • revealed her sexuality

The news came out last year.

  • became known publicly

Goes with

  • come out + as/to
Practice saying this
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be releasedbecome knownappeardeclare sexual orientation