outstanding

1 of 2

adjective

out·​stand·​ing au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ 

ˈau̇t-ˌstan-

1

: standing out : projecting

stood on an outstanding rock

2

a

: unpaid

left several bills outstanding

b

: continuing to exist : unresolved

a long outstanding problem in astronomy

was arrested on … an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence charge

—Kathy Hogan

c

of securities : publicly issued and sold

has 20,000 shares outstanding

3

a

: standing out from a group : conspicuous

There are some outstanding exceptions to this rule.

b

: marked by eminence and distinction

an outstanding student

an outstanding achievement

outstandingly

au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ-lē 

ˈau̇t-ˌstan-

adverb

outstanding

2 of 2

present participle of outstand

Synonyms of outstanding

Adjective

• unpaid

Choose the Right Synonym for outstanding

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention.

noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

Examples of outstanding in a Sentence

Adjective

Tonight we will honor the school's most outstanding students.

You did an outstanding job on the project.

the outstanding quality of your work

a wine that is outstanding in quality

As a president, he was outstanding in many ways.

Her novels are outstanding for their complex characters and interesting plots.

The painting is an outstanding example of the artist's style.

Outstanding among the menu items were the tomato soup and the swordfish.

She had several outstanding parking tickets in her car.

He left a balance of 50 dollars outstanding on his account.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The advantages the Phillies should have in the postseason — raucous home atmosphere, outstanding rotation — have not pushed them over the top. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Remember that London was an outstanding basketball player who went to USC and later decided to focus on football. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Bad Bunny received his Emmy for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which won in the category of outstanding variety special (live). — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Other nominees in this year’s outstanding variety special (live) category were the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, 68th Annual Grammy Awards, the 2026 Oscars and 78th Annual Tony Awards. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outstanding

• commanding
• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing

Kids Definition

outstanding

adjective

out·​stand·​ing -ˈstan-diŋ 

1

: sticking out : projecting

2

a

: not yet paid : unpaid

outstanding bills

b

: continuing in being : unresolved

problems outstanding

3

: attracting notice especially because of excellence

an outstanding scholar

outstandingly

-diŋ-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

outstanding

adjective

out·​stand·​ing

1

: not paid

had several outstanding debts

2

: publicly issued and sold

a million shares outstanding