outgoing

adjective

out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ 

-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ

1

a

: going away : departing

an outgoing ship

b

: retiring or withdrawing from a place or position

the outgoing president

c

: directed to an intended recipient

outgoing mail

2

: openly friendly and responsive : extroverted

His outgoing personality made him popular at school.

outgoingness noun

Synonyms of outgoing

• social
• friendly
• hospitable
• extroverted
• gregarious
• spirited

Examples of outgoing in a Sentence

Outgoing mail goes in this box.

a salesman whose aggressively outgoing personality could sometimes be overbearing

Recent Examples on the Web

Tim Cook, Apple Apple’s outgoing CEO (to be replaced by John Ternus later this year) got his first job at 11 or 12, delivering the Mobile Press Register in Robertsdale, Ala. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Donovan is talkative, bubbly and outgoing, while Juan is more of a listener. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

The president reacted to the news this week by simultaneously complimenting and insulting the outgoing executive. —Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

In Bamako, sustained gunfire and explosions were heard near the main airport, forcing the cancellation of incoming and outgoing flights. —Jewel Bright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outgoing

• blowing
• boing
• bowing
• crowing
• flowing
• glowing
• going
• growing
• hoeing
• knowing
• lowing
• rowing

Kids Definition

outgoing

adjective

out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ 

1

a

: going out : departing

outgoing tide

b

: retiring from a position

the outgoing governor

2

: being at ease and friendly when dealing with others

an outgoing person