onset
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the beginning of something, usually something that is difficult or unwelcome.
the beginning or commencement of an event or state, typically one that is unpleasant or problematic.
Simple“The sudden onset of winter caught many people without warm coats.”
In context“The rapid onset of the economic crisis forced the government to implement emergency measures within forty-eight hours.”
UsageUsually follows the pattern 'the onset of [noun]'.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
the moment when the first signs of an illness appear.
the initial phase of a disease or medical condition when symptoms first become apparent to the patient or clinician.
Simple“Early onset of the disease can sometimes be managed with a better diet.”
In context“Clinicians noted that the early onset of symptoms in younger patients often correlated with a more aggressive progression of the underlying infection.”
UsageOften used with adjectives like 'sudden', 'gradual', or 'early'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the first part of a syllable, before the main vowel sound.
the initial consonant or consonant cluster of a syllable, preceding the nucleus.
Simple“In the word 'stop', the letters 'st' form the onset.”
In context“The researcher analyzed how children acquire complex onsets in languages that allow three or more consonants before the vowel nucleus.”
UsageUsed specifically in phonology to describe syllable structure.
Antonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
a sudden and fierce attack by an army.
a military assault or a sudden, violent attack.
Simple“The soldiers prepared themselves for the enemy's fierce onset at dawn.”
In context“The fortress walls eventually crumbled under the repeated onset of the heavy cavalry and the relentless bombardment of the siege engines.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is rare in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in historical novels or older poetry.
“So nearly half a decade after the onset of the Ukraine War, the Western launch market has not changed much.”
“Their small scale, short life cycle and sudden onset make them extremely difficult to predict.”
From on- + set. Compare Old English onsettan (“to impose; oppress, bear down”). For semantic parallels for the meaning to assault, compare cognate Russian насе́сть pf (naséstʹ), наседа́ть impf (nasedátʹ).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.