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Synonyms

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • outstandingly adverb
  • outstandingness noun

Etymology

Origin of outstanding

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Following the latest purchases, Tether Holdings continues to own a 13.5% stake in Gold Royalty’s outstanding stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, the subset of the private-credit funds known as BDCs were already reporting that they were accepting more deferred interest payments on outstanding loans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

This is despite there also being an outstanding complaint against her.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Rocket Lab had more than 567 million shares outstanding as of Feb. 20.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

“It is expected that outstanding students will be offered positions in this laboratory.”

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.