outlet
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a shop that sells goods from a specific brand or company, often for a lower price.
a commercial establishment that sells the products of a specific manufacturer or supplier, frequently at a discount.
Simple“We went to the designer outlet to find some cheaper running shoes.”
In context“The manufacturer opened a factory outlet on the outskirts of the city to clear out surplus inventory from the previous season.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the place in a wall where you plug in machines to get electricity.
a point in an electrical circuit where a plug can be inserted to connect an appliance to the power supply.
Simple“I need to find an outlet to charge my phone before it dies.”
In context“The technician installed several additional outlets in the home office to accommodate the new server and dual-monitor setup.”
UsageCommonly called a 'socket' or 'plug' in British English.
Synonymssocketpower point - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a way to express strong feelings or energy, like a hobby or sport.
a means of expressing or releasing pent-up emotions, creative energy, or impulses.
Simple“Painting provides a great creative outlet for her after a stressful day at work.”
In context“For many teenagers, competitive sports serve as a vital physical outlet for the frustrations of academic life.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
an opening or pipe that allows air, water, or steam to escape.
an opening or passage through which a liquid or gas can exit a confined space.
Simple“The water flows out of the lake through a small outlet at the southern end.”
In context“Engineers inspected the main outlet of the dam to ensure that the overflow system could handle the seasonal rains.”
Usage outlets reported
“But Habba has been one of the president’s most vocal defenders on conservative outlets.”
“Food prices have also fallen since the 1990s, partly because of increased competition between the major supermarkets alongside an increase in fast food outlets and home delivery.”
From Middle English outlete, outeleate, ut-lete, derived from Middle English outleten (“to allow, let out, emit”), equivalent to out- + let. Compare West Frisian útlit (“outlet”), Dutch uitlaat (“outlet”), German Auslass (“outlet”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.