outlet
B1Neutral; common in everyday, business, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A point or means of release, expression, or escape for something (like emotions, energy, or products).
1. A shop or organization selling the goods of a particular manufacturer or brand, often at reduced prices. 2. A device or point in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the power supply. 3. A pipe or hole through which water or gas can escape. 4. A means of expressing one's talents, energy, or emotions. 5. A broadcasting channel or publication.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a channel *outwards* from a source to an external point. It can be physical (electricity, water) or abstract (creativity, emotion). The 'shop' meaning is a specific metaphorical extension where the shop is a channel for goods to leave the manufacturer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
For the electrical point, British English strongly prefers 'socket'. 'Outlet' is understood but less common. In American English, 'outlet' is the standard term. For the retail meaning, both use 'outlet' (e.g., 'factory outlet').
Connotations
In British retail contexts, 'outlet' often implies discounted or clearance goods. In American English, the electrical connotation is primary in everyday speech.
Frequency
'Outlet' is significantly more frequent in American English due to its primary use for electrical sockets. In British English, 'socket' or 'power point' is more frequent for that meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
outlet for + noun (outlet for creativity)outlet + preposition + place (outlet in London)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Find an outlet for your energy.”
- “He used painting as an emotional outlet.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company opened three new retail outlets in the Midlands.
Academic
The study examined media outlets' influence on public perception.
Everyday
Is there a power outlet near the desk so I can charge my laptop?
Technical
Ensure the drainage outlet is not obstructed before operation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard; 'to outlet' is not a conventional verb.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'to outlet' is not a conventional verb.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- They visited an outlet mall.
- He needed an outlet adapter for his US device.
American English
- We went shopping at the outlet stores.
- Check the outlet voltage before plugging it in.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lamp is plugged into the wall outlet.
- This shop is a clothing outlet.
- Sports provide a healthy outlet for his competitive spirit.
- We bought these shoes cheaply at a factory outlet.
- The journalist contributed articles to several major news outlets.
- The new shopping centre will house outlets for over fifty brands.
- The lack of a constructive creative outlet can lead to significant frustration.
- The regulatory body monitors the output of all nuclear facility cooling water outlets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of letting something OUT. An OUT-LET is a place where something (electricity, water, goods, feelings) is let out.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (The body/company/system is a container; the outlet is an opening for contents to escape). CHANNEL (The outlet is a pathway for flow).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'выход' for a shop; use 'магазин' or 'торговая точка'. For electrical, 'розетка' is correct. For media, 'СМИ' or 'канал' works.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outlet' for any shop (it usually implies a specific brand's shop or a discount shop). Confusing 'outlet' with 'entrance' or 'inlet'.
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what is the most common everyday meaning of 'outlet'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, typically it refers to a shop selling goods directly from a manufacturer, often at reduced prices (e.g., a factory outlet), or a shop belonging to a specific chain/brand.
In British English, 'socket' is the common word for the electrical point. 'Outlet' is understood but is more American. In American English, 'outlet' is standard, and 'socket' refers more specifically to the part a plug fits into.
No, 'outlet' is not conventionally used as a verb in modern standard English. You would use phrases like 'to sell through an outlet' or 'to channel through an outlet'.
It refers to a publication, broadcast channel, or website that distributes news and information (e.g., 'The story was picked up by all major news outlets').