What does washout mean?
Washout is a word that can describe both a physical process and a complete failure. As a noun, it usually refers to an outdoor event, activity, or plan that is canceled or ruined, often because of heavy rain, muddy conditions, or another form of bad weather. It can also mean a total disappointment. As a verb, wash out means to remove something with water, to wear away soil or rock, or to cause an event or undertaking to fail or be canceled. The phrase washed out can additionally mean faded, exhausted, or otherwise ruined by water or wear. The word is especially common in American sports and weather reporting, where a rain-related cancellation is naturally called a washout. Its usefulness lies in the way it combines a vivid image of water removing what was there with the practical meaning that the original plan has gone.
An event, activity, or plan that fails or is canceled, especially because of bad weather; also, a complete failure or disappointment.
"The cricket match was a washout after the persistent rain."
Common in British and American English, especially for outdoor sports and events affected by rain.
To remove material with water, wear away soil or rock, or cause an event or undertaking to fail or be canceled.
"The storm washed out the festival and left organizers with thousands of refunds."
The phrase 'washed out' can also mean faded, exhausted, or ruined by water or wear.
The noun is countable when it refers to a failed or canceled event, activity, or plan.
"The tour had to cancel several outdoor shows after repeated washouts."
A washout begins as water removing what was there, and ends as a plan, event, or hope disappearing altogether.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does washout come from?
Washout is an English compound formed from wash and out, with out indicating removal or disappearance. The English verb wash has Old English roots and belongs to a Germanic family that includes Dutch wassen and German waschen. The compound was later extended figuratively to plans and events that fail or are canceled, particularly as a result of bad weather.
Related word forms
How washout is actually used
The noun is especially common in American English for a sports event or outdoor activity canceled because of weather, but it is also widely understood in British English. In informal use, a washout can mean any total failure. The phrase 'washed out' can mean faded, exhausted, or ruined by water or wear.
Easily confused with washout
A wipeout is primarily a crash or destructive fall, whereas a washout usually describes erosion, a failed event, or an event canceled because of weather.