# debut

/ˈdeɪbju/ (US) · /dˈeɪbjuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/debut
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. first public appearance

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The young striker scored two goals on his professional debut for the team.
- 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. first release of a work

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. coming-of-age party

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

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

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

- She spent months planning the perfect dress and dance for her debut.
- The debut is a significant cultural milestone in the Philippines, often involving a formal cotillion and eighteen symbolic gifts.

Teaching tip: In this specific cultural context, the word refers to the event itself rather than just the appearance.

### 4. to appear for the first time

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- The young singer made her debut at the local theater.
- The tech company's latest smartphone made its debut at the annual trade show in Las Vegas.
- Critics were divided over the director's feature film debut, with some praising the bold visual style while others found the narrative structure overly ambitious for a first-time effort.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.