come out
A2 neutral intransitive intransitive
In simple words
to appear, become public, or go outside
Literal meaning: to move from inside to outside
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
to become visible or emerge from inside
"The stars came out after sunset."
"The truth will out."
— William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (closely related expression)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to be published, released, or made available
"Her new novel comes out in June."
Grammar: inseparable
3 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to become known or be revealed
"More details came out during the investigation."
Grammar: inseparable
4 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to openly say that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
"He came out to his family when he was twenty-one."
"I am gay."
— Ellen DeGeneres, Time interview cover story context (1997); closely related to coming out
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common with books, results, truth, stains, and identity. It also has an important modern sense about openly stating one's sexual orientation.
Commonly used with
book truth results sun stain gay
Forms
Base
come out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
comes out
he/she/it
Past simple
came out
yesterday
Past participle
come out
have + pp
-ing form
coming out
continuous
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Synonyms
appear emerge be published be revealed be released openly identify
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