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

Starmer thanked the outgoing chief of staff for his service and commitment to the Labour Party. —Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026

One of the first to pass through the grey carpet just inside the Legion's gates was outgoing GQ editor Will Welch, who announced his departure from the title earlier this week for a position with musician and Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams. —Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026

Following an emotional goodbye to outgoing Superintendent Lisa Allen, the Sacramento City Unified School District board named longtime district employee Cancy McArn as acting leader of the district. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Nursing students and faculty planned the ceremony, which featured a class video, student remarks and recognition of incoming and outgoing Student Nurse Association members. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

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