outing

Everyday

1. A short trip out for fun, often with a group, such as a class going to a zoo or museum. tree →
2. A walk or ride out of the house, even a small one. tree →
3. A time when a player or team takes part in a game or race: "his first outing for the team". tree →
4. The act of telling everyone a secret about someone, such as who they love, without their permission; this is unkind and can hurt. tree →

In the lessons

In school life a class outing is a trip away from the classroom, with permission slips, packed lunches and a teacher counting heads. In stories an outing often starts the adventure or goes wrong. In sport news "outing" means one appearance or game. Phrases: a school outing, a family outing, go on an outing, a day outing.

Examples

• Our class outing to the science museum is on Friday. tree →
• Remember to bring your permission slip for the outing. tree →
• Grandad's Sunday outing is a walk to the park and back. tree →
• The family outing to the beach was ruined by rain. tree →
• It was the goalkeeper's first outing since his injury. tree →
• The teacher counted us twice before the outing began. tree →
• Telling everyone her secret was a cruel outing, and she cried. tree →

Note

Countable noun: an outing, two outings. Not the same as "outting" (no such word). In UK English a school "trip" and a school "outing" mean much the same; in the USA "field trip" is common. In a maths problem about an outing, look for how many children, buses or tickets there are.