sellout

1 of 2

noun

sell·​out ˈsel-ˌau̇t 

1

: the act or an instance of selling out

2

: something sold out

especially : something (such as a concert or contest) for which all tickets are sold

3

: one who sells out

sell out

2 of 2

verb

sold out; selling out; sells out

transitive verb

1

: to sell the goods of (a debtor) in order to satisfy creditors

2

: to sell security or commodity holdings of usually to satisfy an uncovered margin

3

a

: to sell all the available tickets for

sold out the concert

b

: to sell all of

the merchandise was quickly sold out

intransitive verb

1

: to dispose of one's goods by sale

especially : to sell one's business

2

: to betray one's cause or associates especially for personal gain

3

: to be or achieve a sellout

Synonyms

Noun

• backstabbing
• betrayal
• business
• disloyalty
• double cross
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of sellout in a Sentence

Noun

The concert was a sellout.

The union sees the deal as a sellout.

Angry fans called him a sellout when he started appearing in television commercials.

Verb

the band sold out its faithful followers, abandoning its edgy style for a more commercial sound

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As a raucous sellout crowd of 11,011 looked on, the Vols managed just 4 first-half field goals while missing all 14 3-point attempts against the Gators, who allowed Kentucky to shoot 58% from the field — 48% from 3-point range — during a 106-100 loss Saturday. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025

Blips abounded before a sellout crowd, both from stretches of suspect game management and poor puck luck, leaving the Ducks with one point before heading off on a season-long, six-game road trip. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

In 2019, Taco Bell opened a pop-up luxury resort in Palm Springs, The Bell, and reservations to enjoy chalupas by the pool sold out in under two minutes. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Deals on Woot have a very short lifespan, and only last for a limited time, or as soon as a product sells out (usually the latter). —Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

sellout

1 of 2 noun

sell·​out ˈsel-ˌau̇t 

1

: the act or an instance of selling out

2

: a show, contest, or exhibition for which all seats are sold

sell out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)sel-ˈau̇t

: to dispose of all of one's goods by sale