stick out

verb

stuck out; sticking out; sticks out

intransitive verb

1

a

: to jut out : project

ears that stick out

b

: to be prominent or conspicuous

stuck out in an orange vest

2

British, informal : to be persistent (as in a demand or an opinion)

transitive verb

1

: extend (as a body part) outward

stick out your tongue

2

: endure, last entry 1

—often used with it

stuck it out to the end

Synonyms of stick out

• protrude
• poke
• stand out
• bulge

Examples of stick out in a Sentence

no feet sticking out in the aisles, please

managed to stick out the whole race despite her bad knee

Recent Examples on the Web

Rhaenyra is called into her chambers to find the window open, and Helaena impaled dead on the spikes below, one spike garrishly sticking out of her neck. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

The trailer is located on the property belonging to Heights, and the photos show deceased people partially wrapped in sheets or clear plastic bags, with their faces and body parts sticking out. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Looking back on the rumor mill and all the speculation that was going around online, are there any comical things that stick out to you? — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

In diagnosing the biggest issues from 2025, communication sticks out like a sore thumb. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for stick out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

stick out

verb

1

a

: to extend out : project

b

: to be noticeable

you will certainly stick out with that red hat and coat

2

: to put up with : endure

stuck it out to the bitter end