standout

1 of 2

noun

stand·​out ˈstand-ˌau̇t How to pronounce standout (audio)
Synonyms of standoutnext
often attributive
: 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
The actor became an instant fan favorite and the standout heartthrob of the cast, which earned him a quick movie role opposite Selena Gomez in 2011's Monte Carlo. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 Connecticut’s returning frontcourt is headlined by 2025 first-round draft pick Aneesah Morrow and former UConn standout Aaliyah Edwards, entering their second and third seasons in the league respectively. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Covered in silvery industrial panels, with a door that closes flush against the façade, the four-story building stands out for its museumlike minimalism. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 15 Apr. 2026 Lowe said the Twin Cities has always stood out as a place where his family would want to be. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 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 17 Apr. 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

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