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

The first photos show Madonna holding a glass toward the camera while sticking out her tongue, a glam selfie and a snap of Rocco, 25, with two others. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

And Detective Schwartz says that wasn't the only thing that stuck out. —Stephanie Slifer, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

The area consists primarily of farmland with few homes, so the unoccupied car stuck out to the deputy. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025

But certain quotes and one-liners stuck out for their candor and insight. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 Dec. 2025

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