outstanding
Americanadjective
-
prominent; conspicuous; striking.
an outstanding example of courage.
- Synonyms:
- eminent
-
marked by superiority or distinction; excellent; distinguished.
an outstanding student.
-
continuing in existence; remaining unsettled, unpaid, etc..
outstanding debts.
-
(of securities and the like) publicly issued and sold or in circulation.
-
standing out; projecting.
a stiff, outstanding fabric.
-
Archaic. that resists or opposes.
adjective
-
superior; excellent; distinguished
-
prominent, remarkable, or striking
-
still in existence; unsettled, unpaid, or unresolved
-
(of shares, bonds, etc) issued and sold
-
projecting or jutting upwards or outwards
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of outstanding
Explanation
Something outstanding stands out for good reasons. Your outstanding presentation captured everyone's attention; unfortunately, so did the tear in the seat of your pants. An outstanding performance of any kind will impress people, but there's one meaning to outstanding that most of us would rather avoid: that which remains unpaid. Outstanding gift ideas can lead to outstanding debt. Your outstanding mood was ruined when you saw the size of your outstanding credit card balance.
Vocabulary lists containing outstanding
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Positive Words to Describe People, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Associated Press reported that negotiations on outstanding issues like Iran’s nuclear program would continue over the next 60 days, according to two senior Pakistani officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
It added that his "enduring legacy reflects his underlying enthusiasm for life, his outstanding sense of humour, his immense generosity, and his investigative curiosity encapsulated by his signature phrase: Love Life".
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
An estimated $1.5 trillion of such trades are outstanding, posing a risk to financial stability.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
The delay is necessary, the authority said, “to resolve any outstanding issues” between the two countries.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
Oppenheimer’s compulsive polymathy, however, pointed to his one outstanding intellectual flaw: he lacked the patience to make a single subject his own.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
