onset

7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for onset, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The point at which something, especially an illness or a change, first begins.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

attack

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

commencement inception

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

first appearance onrush oncoming onslaught

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The point at which something, especially an illness or a change, first begins.

“Doctors caught the disease at its onset, before symptoms appeared.”

commencement inception first appearance onrush oncoming attack onslaught

Opposites

conclusion

2. noun

In phonetics, the consonant sound or sounds that come before the vowel in a syllable.

“In the word "cat," the onset is the /k/ sound.”

Opposites

coda

How to use onset

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

sudden onset onset of symptoms onset of winter

Etymology

From on- + set, echoing the older Old English onsettan ("to press down upon, oppress").

Full origin of onset →

Frequently asked questions

What does “onset” mean?

The word “onset” means the point at which something, especially an illness or a change, first begins. In plain terms, the very beginning of something, especially when it develops or arrives — a disease, a season, a change.

How do you pronounce “onset”?

“Onset” is pronounced ON-seht (/ˈɒnˌsɛt/ in IPA).

How do you use “onset” in a sentence?

Here is “onset” used in a sentence: “Doctors caught the disease at its onset, before symptoms appeared.”

What part of speech is “onset”?

“Onset” is a noun.

Where does the word “onset” come from?

The word “onset” comes from Old English. From on- + set, echoing the older Old English onsettan ("to press down upon, oppress").

Is “onset” a common word?

“Onset” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “onset” have?

“Onset” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the point at which something, especially an illness or a change, first begins.

What is the difference between onset and outset?

Onset typically describes the first appearance of something, especially an illness, symptom, or change, and often carries a sense of something arriving or taking hold. Outset refers more generally to the very beginning of any event, plan, or period of time, without that same connotation of something starting to affect you.

What does onset mean in phonetics?

In phonetics, the onset is the consonant sound or sounds that come before the vowel in a syllable. For example, in the syllable "stop," the onset is the "st" sound that precedes the vowel.

How is onset used when talking about illness?

When talking about illness, onset refers to the point at which the disease or symptoms first begin to appear. Doctors often describe onset as "sudden" or "gradual" depending on how quickly the condition develops.

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attack conclusion inception commencement onslaught coda onrush oncoming

Nearby words

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