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Meaning & use

outgoing

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈaʊtˌɡəʊ.ɪŋ/
US/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊ.ɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Friendly, talkative, and at ease meeting new people.

    Grammar: Can be used before a noun or after a verb: an outgoing person, she is outgoing.

    Patterns

    • be outgoing
    • an outgoing personality

    Maya is so outgoing that she made three friends on the first day.

    His outgoing nature makes him a great host.

    The shy boy slowly became more outgoing at camp.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Leaving a position or place, or about to be replaced.

    Grammar: Always comes before the noun: the outgoing mayor.

    Patterns

    • the outgoing president
    • outgoing tide

    The outgoing manager left a detailed handover note.

    The outgoing tide exposed a wide stretch of sand.

    The outgoing board thanked the staff.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Being sent out or directed away, such as mail, calls, or messages.

    Grammar: Usually describes things sent away: outgoing mail, not incoming mail.

    Patterns

    • outgoing mail
    • outgoing calls
    • outgoing message

    Please leave the outgoing mail on the front desk.

    The office phone blocks outgoing calls after six.

    Check the outgoing folder to see what you sent.

Word forms

comparativemore outgoing
superlativemost outgoing

Common combinations

outgoing personality
Her outgoing personality helped her in sales.
outgoing president
The outgoing president handed over the keys.
outgoing mail
The outgoing mail is collected at five.
outgoing flight
The outgoing flight leaves on Monday morning.
outgoing and friendly
The staff were outgoing and friendly toward newcomers.

Synonyms and how they differ

extroverted
Extroverted is a more technical word from psychology; outgoing is warmer and more everyday.
sociable
Sociable means enjoying company, while outgoing also suggests actively starting conversations.
gregarious
Gregarious is more formal and suggests someone who thrives in groups.
departing
Departing fits the leaving sense and is more neutral than outgoing for people in a role.

Opposites

shyincomingreserved

Word family

outgo noun
money spent, a rare word
outgoings noun
regular expenses, mainly British
go out verb
the verb phrase it is built from
incoming adjective
arriving or about to take over

Commonly confused: outgoing or outspoken?

outgoing vs outspoken

Outspoken means frank and direct in saying what you think, whereas outgoing means friendly and sociable.

Practice

The ___ chairman thanked everyone before the new chairman took over.

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