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.
-
standing out; projecting.
a stiff, outstanding fabric.
-
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
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.
Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $5.5 billion to resolve outstanding lawsuits alleging its talc products caused ovarian cancer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Stock held by Musk and select other insiders, which together account for over 63% of pre-IPO outstanding shares, is subject to a longer lockup.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Recognition of their "outstanding universal value" brings international renown and commits authorities to work toward their preservation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
"I think this work is an outstanding example of a collaboration between a translational clinical researcher and a basic science physiologist," said MacDougald.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
And as a sweetener, he was released from any obligation to keep up payments on Michelangelo’s part of the two outstanding dowries, since he had already more than paid his own share.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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.
