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

The commission approved the deal at its last meeting of the year, which was also the final meeting for Commissioner Joe Carollo and outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez. —Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025

The outgoing, eccentric Stone family doesn't immediately approve of Everett's new girlfriend, and the drama feels all too real. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

Associated Press reporters on the Thai side of the border heard sounds of outgoing, indirect fire Wednesday. —CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

While there isn’t an exact formula to McMillon’s remarkable career ascension, the outgoing CEO credited his proactive work ethic to getting him to the top. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for outgoing

• bestowing
• churchgoing
• elbowing
• fallowing
• farrowing
• foregoing
• forgoing
• ongoing
• outflowing
• outgrowing
• seagoing
• tiptoeing

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