outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to refer to an expenditure or the amount of money spent on a particular project or investment. Example: "The initial outlay for the new marketing campaign was higher than we anticipated, but we expect significant returns in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When you think that you'll probably have a new fridge for 10 years, you need to look at the initial capital outlay and the ongoing cost.

The Guardian

Some believe it will provide a refreshing change, with the use of existing stadiums avoiding the usual immense outlay and fans in countries that would not be able to host the tournament alone being involved.

The Guardian - Sport

But since 2010, the programme has declined in terms of financial outlay and employment generated.

The Guardian

Despite this it generates lease-adjusted return on capital employed of more than 20% and stores pay back the capex outlay in around a year.

The Guardian - Business

This is a significant outlay given the community's average per capita income of less than $1 per day.

The Guardian

In the event, it was 20 years before the first lines earned more than 5% of their capital outlay, but that did nothing to inhibit their extravagant spending: a mile of Indian railway cost double the same distance in the equally difficult terrain of Canada and Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the current year, the budgetary outlay amounts to only 0.25% of GDP after taking into account the arrears from the previous year.

The Guardian

A further sleight of hand by the central government is simply to push the excess of actual spending over outlay into the next year's spending, thereby reducing the next year's outlay even more.

The Guardian

Despite substantial outlay on players following the summer takeover by the Italian energy magnate Francesco Becchetti, the team have struggled.

The Guardian - Sport

As Enders analyst Toby Syfret points out: "As the European country with much the highest rights fees per game, much the fewest televised top league games, highest package prices and by far the biggest outlay on player wages, the current PL auction mechanism gives the UK consumer little cause for cheer".

The Guardian

Having obtained their teaching qualifications only after a massive outlay by the state, they ought to be required to spend a minimum of 20 years teaching in the state's schools.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing initial costs versus ongoing expenses, use "outlay" to specifically refer to the initial capital expenditure, distinguishing it from recurring operational costs.

Common error

Avoid using "outlay" to describe small, everyday expenses. Reserve it for significant investments or expenditures, especially those that represent a substantial initial cost.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outlay" is as a noun, representing an amount of money spent, particularly for investments or significant expenditures. As Ludwig highlights, the word is commonly used in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outlay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun that refers to an amount of money spent, especially for investments or significant expenditures. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is most frequently found in news and business contexts. When using "outlay", it's important to distinguish it from everyday expenses and to reserve it for substantial initial costs. Alternatives include "expenditure", "spending", and "investment", each carrying slightly different connotations. Remember that, as Ludwig AI underlines, the word is mostly used in financial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expenditure

Focuses on the action of spending rather than the amount spent, which is the focus of "outlay".

Spending

Emphasizes the process of using funds or resources, while "outlay" refers more to the amount.

Investment

Implies a future return or benefit from the expenditure, which is not necessarily conveyed by "outlay".

Disbursement

Suggests a formal or official distribution of funds, unlike the more general term "outlay".

Capital expenditure

Specifically refers to spending on fixed assets, whereas "outlay" can cover a broader range of expenses.

Financial commitment

Highlights the obligation to spend money, while "outlay" simply denotes the act of spending.

Cash disbursement

Specifies that the outlay is paid in cash.

Funds allocation

Implies a planned distribution of money.

Resources allocation

Relates to financial and operational funds.

Capital investment

Suggests spending capital to receive a return.

FAQs

How to use "outlay" in a sentence?

You can use "outlay" to refer to the amount of money spent, as in, "The initial "capital outlay" for the project was significant." It's often used when discussing investments or expenditures.

What can I say instead of "outlay"?

Alternatives to "outlay" include "expenditure", "spending", or "investment", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "outlay" or "expense"?

"Outlay" generally refers to a significant initial expenditure, especially for investments, while "expense" is a more general term for any cost or expenditure. Therefore, their appropriateness depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "outlay" and "disbursement"?

"Outlay" refers to the amount of money spent, while "disbursement" refers to the act of distributing or paying out funds. A "cash disbursement" is one way of managing an outlay.