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

Cautillo was also carrying a disconnected lithium battery, an electric towel warmer that had wires sticking out of it, and an electric scooter with a bad sticking out of it, the statement said. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026

One thing that always stuck out to me was how ageless Hargitay remained throughout the 27 (and counting) seasons. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 July 2026

The slightest details, or the smallest bits of structure, are what stick out—what can feel like an amorphous ooze of nothingness suddenly snaps into place thanks to a rhythmic rattle or jagged vocal sample. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 2026

England jerseys were scarce on the grounds of the National World War I Museum & Memorial, sticking out in the sea of green. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 July 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