standout

1 of 2

noun

stand·​out ˈstand-ˌau̇t How to pronounce standout (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of standoutnext
: one that is prominent or conspicuous especially because of excellence

stand out

2 of 2

verb

stood out; standing out; stands out

intransitive verb

1
a
: to stick out from a surface : project
b
: to be prominent or conspicuous
His bright hat made him stand out in the crowd.
also : to be better or more important in a conspicuous way
His performance really stood out.
One part of the testimony stands out.
2
: to steer away from shore
3
: to be stubborn in resolution or resistance

Examples of standout in a Sentence

Noun She is a standout among the available candidates. All the cameras we tested were good, but there was no real standout. Verb the relief figures stand out from the wall quite strikingly
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In Queens, check out the art at MoMA PS1 or spend an afternoon eating your way through Astoria or Flushing, known for standout Greek and Chinese cuisine, respectively. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026 The Malibu oceanfront corner one-bedroom suites are standouts for their floor-to-ceiling windows and posh dining areas with stellar views of the beach and the nearby pier that lights up the night sky with its kaleidoscopic Ferris wheel. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Apparently to stand out as a glamorous immigrant, the woman born Hillary Hayward-Thomas often used a quirky Spanish accent in interviews and boasted about her family’s Spanish background. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026 In a community where civic demonstrations are relatively rare, the gathering stood out. Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of standout was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standout. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

standout

1 of 2 noun
stand·​out ˈstan-ˌdau̇t How to pronounce standout (audio)
: one that is well-known or outstanding especially because of excellence

stand out

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)stan-ˈdau̇t
1
: to stick out from a surface : project
2
: to be easily seen or recognized

More from Merriam-Webster on standout

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