stand out
Britishverb
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to be distinctive or conspicuous
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to refuse to agree, consent, or comply
they stood out for a better price
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to protrude or project
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to navigate a vessel away from a port, harbour, anchorage, etc
noun
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informal
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a person or thing that is distinctive or outstanding
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( as modifier )
the standout track from the album
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a person who refuses to agree or consent
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Protrude, project, as in Those reliefs stand out from the building walls . [First half of 1500s]
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Be conspicuous, distinctive, or prominent, as in He's so tall that he always stands out in a crowd . [Mid-1800s]
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Refuse to comply, remain opposed, as in The one juror is standing out against a guilty verdict . [Late 1500s]
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.
This summer’s fires stand out for their proximity to populated areas that are typically shielded from fires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
One of the members of the feared French frontline, Barcola has shone at the World Cup - bright enough to stand out even alongside the talents of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
A.I. is supposed to make voices stand out, but it is not helpful to singers’ limitations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
As those components orbited the star, they could produce highly unusual, non natural variations in brightness that would stand out from the behavior of ordinary stars.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
When it’s winter, my earmuffs won’t stand out as much.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
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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.