# onset vs outset

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### onset
*noun · IPA /ˈɒnˌsɛt/ · frequency rank #10,900*
The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.

### outset
*noun · IPA /ˈaʊtsɛt/ · frequency rank #16,293*
An onset; the beginning or initial stage of something.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/onset-vs-outset