Outgoing

/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonPersonality
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Friendly and socially confident.

/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
Personality

Sociable and friendly

He's an outgoing child, always making new friends at the playground.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone who loves to make friends and isn't shy. They're always up for chatting and doing things with other people. It's like they're always ready to 'go out' and be social!

👶 For kids: If someone is outgoing, it means they like to talk to people and make new friends!

More Examples

2

My sister is very outgoing and loves to organize parties.

3

An outgoing salesperson often excels in their role.

How It's Used

Social Interaction

"She's very outgoing and enjoys meeting new people."

Personality

"An outgoing personality can be a great asset in sales."

2

Leaving or departing from a position or office; related to what is going out or being sent.

/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Transition

Leaving or departing

The outgoing CEO will be replaced next month.

💡 Simply: Think about someone who's leaving a job, or a year that's ending. That's 'outgoing' in this case. It's all about things that are moving on or finishing up.

👶 For kids: If someone is outgoing in this way, it means they are leaving their job!

More Examples

2

The outgoing mail was delayed due to the storm.

3

We reviewed all the outgoing invoices at the end of the fiscal year.

How It's Used

Business

"The outgoing president gave a farewell speech."

Transitions

"The outgoing year was marked by economic instability."

Tip:Relate to the act of going out of a position or place.
3

Expenses or costs.

/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

nounneutralAdvanced
Finance

The act of going out

We need to reduce our outgoings to improve profitability.

💡 Simply: This is like the money your family spends on things like food, rent, or entertainment.

👶 For kids: The money that you spend

More Examples

2

The outgoings of the month were higher than expected.

3

Carefully track your outgoings to monitor cash flow.

How It's Used

Business

"The outgoings of a business must be managed carefully."

Finance

"The company's outgoings exceeded its incomings."

Tip:Think of the money that is 'going out'.

Idioms & expressions

outgoing personality

A character trait indicating sociability and friendliness.

"Her outgoing personality made her a great salesperson."

outgoing mail

Mail that is being sent out.

"Please sort the outgoing mail and take it to the post office."

outgoing President

The person who is leaving the position of president.

"The outgoing President gave a farewell speech."

From Middle English *outgangen*, equivalent to 'out' + 'going', referring to the act of going forth or being socially expressive.

The adjective 'outgoing' has been used since the 17th century, while the noun use to describe expenditure has been used from the 18th century.

Memory tip

Think of someone who is always 'going out' to meet people.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"Moving outward or departing."

outgoing personalityoutgoing mailoutgoing presidentoutgoing person

Common misspellings

out going

Usage

65%Spoken
35%Written