WordGarden.iooutstanding
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /aʊtstˈændɪŋ/
US
- /ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ/
Meanings
Adjective
exceptionally good, impressive, or distinguished
still owed, unpaid, or unsettled financially
still not completed, resolved, or dealt with
Beyond the definition
Something that's outstanding often stands out because it is very good or impressive. You might hear about an outstanding student, an outstanding performance, or an outstanding result. But the word also has a practical meaning: it can describe something that still has not been paid, finished, or dealt with, like an outstanding bill or some outstanding questions. So context matters. If someone says you gave an outstanding presentation, that is praise. If a report mentions outstanding payments or outstanding issues, it means they still need attention.
The word outstanding has two main uses. It can describe something that is exceptionally good, or it can describe something that has not yet been finished, paid, or resolved. This comes from the older idea of "standing out" from the rest: something may stand out because it is excellent, or because it is still there and not yet settled.
When used to praise, outstanding signifies excellence. An outstanding athlete might break records, an outstanding piece of art could win awards, and an outstanding citizen might dedicate their life to helping others. It implies something is noticeably superior to the norm. You might say, "Her dedication to the project was truly outstanding."
However, outstanding is also common in practical contexts. An outstanding debt or bill is one that has not been paid yet, and outstanding work or questions are still not finished or answered. For example, a company may have outstanding invoices, or a teacher may remind students about outstanding assignments. This usage often appears in business, school, and official contexts.
Historically, the word literally meant "standing out" physically—like a prominent building on a landscape. Over time, this evolved to encompass both exceptional quality and unresolved matters.
So, whether you're praising an achievement or talking about something that still needs attention, remember that outstanding can mean remarkably excellent or not yet settled. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.
Examples
- 1
Work quality
The team did outstanding work under a lot of pressure.
- 2
Presentation
Her presentation was outstanding, and the audience asked for copies of her slides.
- 3
Teaching skill
She's outstanding at explaining difficult ideas in simple language.
- 4
School strength
The school is outstanding in science and technology.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Account balance
You still have an outstanding balance of $48 on your account.
- Phraseoutstanding balance
money that has not been paid yet
- 6
Contract issues
We need to settle a few outstanding issues before we sign the contract.
- Phraseoutstanding issues
problems or questions that still need to be dealt with
- 7
Order fulfillment
All outstanding orders will be shipped by the end of the week.
- Phraseoutstanding orders
orders that have not been completed yet
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- outstanding achievement
- outstanding performance
- outstanding contribution
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- outstandingadjective