# onset

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɒnˌsɛt/ · frequency rank #10,900

## Definitions
1. The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.
2. The initial portion of a syllable, preceding the syllable nucleus.
3. The beginning of a musical note or other sound, in which the amplitude rises from zero to an initial peak.
4. A setting about; a beginning.
5. Anything added, such as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
6. An attack; an assault especially of an army.

## Etymology
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).

## Easily confused with
- **OST** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/onset-vs-ost)
- **oust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/onset-vs-oust)
- **outset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/onset-vs-outset)
- **onsite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/onset-vs-onsite)
- **one** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/one-vs-onset)
- **Ons** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ons-vs-onset)
- **once** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/once-vs-onset)
- **ones** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ones-vs-onset)
- **Olsen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/olsen-vs-onset)
- **offset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/offset-vs-onset)

## Common misspellings (7)
`noset`, `onest`, `onnset`, `onsett`, `onsset`, `onste`, `osnet`

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