Meaning trap
come out
declare sexual orientation
To publicly reveal that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or otherwise not heterosexual, often after having kept it private.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To publicly reveal that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or otherwise not heterosexual, often after having kept it private.
'come out' also has the more basic meaning 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- After years of hiding his true self, he finally decided to come out at the age of 25.identity
- In recent years, more public figures have chosen to come out, which has contributed to greater acceptance and understanding within society.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: come out (as [sexual orientation])
WrongHe came out himself as gay.
RightHe came out as gay. / He came out to his parents.
No reflexive — 'come out as X' or 'come out to someone'.
Patterncome out (as [sexual orientation])
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Come out' is the established, respectful term; 'publicly disclosed his homosexuality' is clinical and dated.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come out + as/toas gayto his parentsas bisexualat work
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense 'become known (information, truth, secret)', this sense is specifically about publicly declaring one's sexual orientation or gender identity, not just any secret or information.
Related
- come out (be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)) — 'come out' also has the more basic meaning 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; this is the advanced sense.