# debut

Pronunciation: US say "day-BYOO" /deɪˈbjuː/; UK say "DEB-yoo" /ˈdɛbjuː/; AUS say "DAY-byoo" /ˈdæɪbjʉː/

## Noun

1. A performer's first public appearance, whether in sport, the arts, or another field.
   - Simple: A person's first time performing in front of an audience.
   - _The violinist's debut with the orchestra drew a standing ovation._
   - _The rookie's debut against the defending champions surprised everyone._
2. The first public presentation of a play, film, opera, musical work, dance, or other performing-arts piece.
   - Simple: The first time a play, movie, or song is shown to the public.
   - _The symphony's debut was broadcast live across the country._
   - _Critics had mixed reactions to the ballet's debut last season._
5. A young woman's first formal appearance in fashionable or high society.
   - Simple: A young woman's first formal appearance in high society.
   - _Her debut introduced her to the city's most prominent families._
   - _The countess arranged an elaborate debut for her daughter._
6. A celebration marking a young woman's eighteenth birthday and her coming of age. *(Philippines)*
   - Simple: A celebration of a young woman's eighteenth birthday as she becomes an adult.
   - _Relatives flew in from overseas to attend her debut._
   - _The hall was decorated in gold and white for her debut._

## Verb

3. To make one's first formal appearance before the public.
   - Simple: To appear or perform in public for the first time.
   - _The quartet will debut at Carnegie Hall this spring._
   - _The young gymnast debuted at the international championships._
4. To formally present something to the public for the first time. *(US)*
   - Simple: To show something new to the public for the first time.
   - _The studio debuted its latest film at the festival._
   - _Designers will debut their spring collection in Paris._

## Origin

From French début, a derivative of débuter ("to move, begin"), formed from dé- plus but ("mark, goal"). But traces back to Old French words for an aim or target, and ultimately to a Frankish or Old Norse root meaning "stump" or "log," from Proto-Germanic *butą ("end, piece") and Proto-Indo-European *bʰewd- ("to beat, push"). It is cognate with Old English butt ("tree stump"), and the Philippine sense is influenced by Spanish debut.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/debut (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).