Skip to main content
onset

onset

77 4.4
The start of something unpleasant or difficult
  • noun
  • /ˈɑnˌsɛt/
: inicio
  • How does their brain change before and after the onset of the disorder?
  • onset of symptoms
  • late onset
  • early onset

We have no way to delay the onset to help people recover.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Or early onset motion sickness.

  • It can delay the onset of dementia.

  • What were you doing at the onset of the pain?

  • We have no way to delay the onset to help people recover.

  • The second is new onset shortness of breath.

  • Patients presenting late after onset will probably require more careful evaluation than patients presenting early.

    Academic text (2015)
  • There are no recognizable symptoms at the onset.

  • The ever-shortening day finally signals to the herd the onset of the great annual migration.

  • Do you have any tips for minimizing onset of cold, flu, etcetera, things like that?

  • The doctor explained that the onset of symptoms usually occurs within a week of exposure.

Synonyms

start
vsonset
∞ 1.0

The time or place when something begins

focuses more on first points that are unwelcome or troublesome
dawn
vsonset
85 2.7

The early time when a new period or event begins

is used more often for first parts with negative or difficult aspects
outset
vsonset
61 3.9

The beginning of something, especially the first part

is used more for first parts that are unpleasant or difficult
infancy
vsonset
32 3.7

The very early time when something is just starting

applies to early development rather than to unpleasant first parts

Antonyms

end
∞ 1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

107 2.4

The act of finishing a task or project

Compounds

2 3.2

A long-term condition in adults where the body cannot use blood sugar and is often treated with diet or pills

1 4.1

A disease in children and young people where the body cannot control blood sugar and needs insulin

1 4.0

A condition in adults where the body cannot use insulin well, causing high blood sugar

A long-term condition in adults that makes the body unable to use sugar well and usually needs diet and pills

A long term illness in adults where the body cannot use sugar well and is treated by diet or pills

mature-onset diabetes
  • Specialized
4.4

A common adult disease where blood sugar becomes too high and is often treated with diet and pills

How Sudden

eruption
13 4.3
outbreak
194 3.5
inbreaking
1 9.3
onset
77 4.4
beginning
∞ 1.0
emergence
57 4.9

Surface Forms

onset singular
onsets plural

Morphology

onset = set (semi-transparent) = on + set

The meaning 'beginning' is an extension from actions 'set on' or 'setting in', so the relation is recognizable but somewhat metaphorical for learners.

Etymology

Onset comes from the old phrase set on, which gave the idea of 'the start' of something. So an onset is the beginning of something, often something unpleasant like an illness or a storm.