outgoing

American  

[out-goh-ing, -goh-] / ˈaʊtˌgoʊ ɪŋ, -ˈgoʊ- /

adjective

1. going out; departing.

   outgoing trains.

2. leaving or retiring from a position or office.

   A farewell party was given for the outgoing members of the board of directors.

3. addressed and ready for posting.

   outgoing mail.

4. of or relating to food prepared for delivery or consumption off the premises.

   outgoing orders at the pizza parlor.

5. interested in and responsive to others; friendly; sociable.

   an outgoing personality.

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noun

1. Chiefly British. Usually outgoings. expenses; money expended.

2. the act of going out.

   The ship's outgoing proved more difficult than its incoming.

3. something that goes out; effluence.

   an outgoing measured in kilowatt hours.

outgoing British  

/ ˈaʊtˌɡəʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. departing; leaving

2. leaving or retiring from office

   the outgoing chairman

3. friendly and sociable

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noun

1. the act of going out

Etymology

Origin of outgoing

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (gerund); out- + going

Explanation

The adjective outgoing describes someone with a friendly, easy personality. Your outgoing friend might not understand how hard it is for shy people to speak in front of an audience. If you're the only member of your outgoing family who is reserved, you might feel silent and invisible in their sociable midst. People who are outgoing are perfectly comfortable in social situations. A completely different meaning of outgoing describes someone who is departing, like an employee who will soon retire, or an outgoing club treasurer who isn't running for re-election.

Example Sentences

Sunday's presidential election comes about four months after outgoing President Patrice Talon survived a coup attempt, when Nigeria - the regional superpower - sent warplanes to bombard mutinous soldiers who had attempted to overthrow him.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

On March 23, a few days after Halioua’s frightening ordeal, the transport ministry limited flights to one per hour and capped each outgoing flight at 50 passengers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Last month, outgoing director general Tim Davie said the BBC "profoundly regrets" what happened, adding that the team editing the ceremony had not heard the word and did not intentionally leave it in.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

She’s also engaged in time-honored traditions: recording an outgoing voicemail message, prank calling and fighting with a sibling over who gets to use it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Friends from Smith remember Luma as outgoing and involved, active in intramural soccer and in social events sponsored by the college’s house system.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John