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
-
(of shares, bonds, etc) issued and sold
-
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.
She has 26 WSL and Champions League goals since Kelly arrived last season and has been deployed in various ways to outstanding effect by Slegers in 2025-26.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
With a total of 395.25 million shares outstanding, the company was valued at $9.09 billion at the IPO price.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026
He was named the most outstanding freshman, a top sophomore and 1st team all-area his junior year for cross-country.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
“TAVR is an outstanding lifesaving treatment for high-risk and elderly patients, but surgery may be the better choice for low-risk younger patients,” Badhwar said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
The Screaming Eagles were young, brave men who gave us outstanding protection.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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.
