outstanding
Americanadjective
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prominent; conspicuous; striking.
an outstanding example of courage.
- Synonyms:
- eminent
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marked by superiority or distinction; excellent; distinguished.
an outstanding student.
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continuing in existence; remaining unsettled, unpaid, etc..
outstanding debts.
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(of securities and the like) publicly issued and sold or in circulation.
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standing out; projecting.
a stiff, outstanding fabric.
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Archaic. that resists or opposes.
adjective
-
superior; excellent; distinguished
-
prominent, remarkable, or striking
-
still in existence; unsettled, unpaid, or unresolved
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(of shares, bonds, etc) issued and sold
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projecting or jutting upwards or outwards
Other Word Forms
- outstandingly adverb
- outstandingness noun
Etymology
Origin of outstanding
Explanation
Something outstanding stands out for good reasons. Your outstanding presentation captured everyone's attention; unfortunately, so did the tear in the seat of your pants. An outstanding performance of any kind will impress people, but there's one meaning to outstanding that most of us would rather avoid: that which remains unpaid. Outstanding gift ideas can lead to outstanding debt. Your outstanding mood was ruined when you saw the size of your outstanding credit card balance.
Vocabulary lists containing outstanding
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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.
The company said Thursday it entered into the agreement with holders who represent a significant majority of its outstanding funded debt.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Morse said while Aziz Ahmadzai had received outstanding care in hospital, she had been surprised that he did not qualify for help from veterans' charities.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
"Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch," said Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
Cook now owns 130,480 common shares of Nike, or 0.01% of the shares outstanding.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
On campus, he would be seen as the outstanding villain of the affair, and not without reason: at his behest, the regents would fire thirty-one nonsigners in 1950.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
