outstanding

American  

[out-stan-ding] / ˌaʊtˈstæn dɪŋ /

adjective

1. prominent; conspicuous; striking.

   an outstanding example of courage.

   Synonyms:

   eminent

2. marked by superiority or distinction; excellent; distinguished.

   an outstanding student.

3. continuing in existence; remaining unsettled, unpaid, etc..

   outstanding debts.

   Synonyms:

   due, owing

4. (of securities and the like) publicly issued and sold or in circulation.

5. standing out; projecting.

   a stiff, outstanding fabric.

6. Archaic. that resists or opposes.

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outstanding British  

/ ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ /

adjective

1. superior; excellent; distinguished

2. prominent, remarkable, or striking

3. still in existence; unsettled, unpaid, or unresolved

4. (of shares, bonds, etc) issued and sold

5. projecting or jutting upwards or outwards

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Other Word Forms

• outstandingly adverb
• outstandingness noun

Etymology

Origin of outstanding

First recorded in 1605–15; outstand + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Bear in mind that the U.S. debt market is the biggest in the world with $30.3 trillion of Treasuries outstanding.

From Barron's

On a menu where everything was outstanding, this dish really made an impression.

From The Wall Street Journal

Days payable outstanding, or DPOs, for the previous four quarters were 147 days, meaning Genuine Parts was taking almost five months to pay its bills.

From The Wall Street Journal

This meant ensuring repayment of over $10 billion in outstanding debt owed by Venezuela and continued access to the world’s largest crude reserves.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the government's outlays, spending by the Treasury jumped by $48 billion, driven by interest on the public debt and largely due to the higher amount of outstanding debt overall.

From Barron's

Related Words

• distinguished
• dominant
• eminent
• excellent
• exceptional
• famous
• great
• important
• impressive
• magnificent
• phenomenal
• preeminent
• special
• stellar
• superior
• superlative
• well-known