ENGLISH
REFERENCE

debut

n. · v.
US //ˈdeɪbju// UK //dˈeɪbjuː// de·but
  1. 1 first public appearance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the first time an athlete, performer, or artist appears in public or starts a professional career.

    the first public appearance of a performer or sports player in a professional capacity.

    Example

    The young striker scored two goals on his professional debut for the team.

    Example

    The pianist's Carnegie Hall debut was met with a standing ovation from critics and audience members alike.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'on' or 'in'.
  2. 2 first release of a work (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the first time a movie, book, or album is shown or sold to the public.

    the first public presentation or release of a creative work, such as a film, musical composition, or literary piece.

    Example

    The director's debut film won several awards at the international festival.

    Example

    The band's debut album reached the top of the charts within a week of its release, surprising the industry.

    Usage

    Frequently used as a noun adjunct, as in 'debut novel' or 'debut album'.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 coming-of-age party (n.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect

    a formal party to celebrate a young woman's 18th birthday.

    a traditional coming-of-age celebration for a woman's eighteenth birthday, particularly in Filipino culture.

    Example

    She spent months planning the perfect dress and dance for her debut.

    Example

    The debut is a significant cultural milestone in the Philippines, often involving a formal cotillion and eighteen symbolic gifts.

    Teacher's tip

    In this specific cultural context, the word refers to the event itself rather than just the appearance.
  2. 4 to appear for the first time (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to perform or appear in public for the very first time.

    to make a first public appearance or to be presented to the public for the first time.

    Example

    The new electric car model will debut at the international auto show next month.

    Example

    The tech giant is expected to debut its latest software update during the keynote presentation this afternoon.

    Usage

    Can be used both transitively (to debut a product) and intransitively (the show debuts tonight).
Origin

From French début, from Middle French, derivative of débuter (“to move, begin”), from dé- + but (“mark, goal”), from Old French but (“aim, goal, end, target”), from Old French butte (“mound, knoll, target”), from Frankish but (“stump, log”), or from Old Norse bútr (“log, stump, butt”); both from Proto-Germanic butą (“end, piece”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewd- (“to beat, push”). Cognate with Old English butt (“tree stump”). More at butt. The Philippine sense is influenced by Spanish debut.

© 2026 English Reference