onset

Everyday

1. The onset of something is its start, especially of something bad or unpleasant. tree →
2. (language) The onset of a syllable is the consonant sound or sounds before the vowel, as «c» in «cat». tree →

In the lessons

It is used about illness, weather and seasons: «the onset of winter», «the onset of a cold». In reading and phonics lessons pupils split words into onset and rime (c-at, str-ing). In stories it marks when trouble begins.

Examples

• With the onset of winter, the birds flew south. tree →
• Drink water at the onset of a fever. tree →
• The onset of the storm was sudden. tree →
• In «ship», the onset is «sh». tree →
• The game stopped at the onset of rain. tree →
• Watch for the onset of tiredness on long walks. tree →
• The onset of the illness was slow. tree →
• Split each word into onset and rime. tree →

Note

Usually singular with «the»: «the onset of». Stress on ON-. Do not confuse with «outset» (the very start of any activity, often neutral: «at the outset»). «Onset» is mostly for things that happen to you, like illness or weather.