outgoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outgoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is friendly and sociable, or who enjoys meeting and talking with other people. For example, "John is an outgoing person; he loves attending parties and having conversations with new people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the Serb beat the Spaniard 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 in less than two and a half hours on a warm, still afternoon in front of an awe-struck audience on Court Philippe Chatrier, to advance to the semi-finals against Andy Murray on Friday, he not only tore up the record books, he left a considerable psychic bruise on the outgoing champion.

The Guardian - Sport

They found a strong relationship between the outgoing long wavelength radiation (infrared energy) and temperature; however, this relationship varies substantially across the planet.

The Guardian

Republicans were in the grip of an intense power battle on Wednesday as rival factions in in the House of Representatives, which the party controls, jockeyed to replace the outgoing majority leader Eric Cantor.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.05pm AESThe:05 The outgoing Senate president John Hogg is standing from his presiding chair.

The Guardian

Prudential's outgoing chief executive, Tidjane Thiam, warned about the impact of low, long-term interest rates, as the insurer's investment returns were hit in the UK and US, despite strong growth in Asia.

The Guardian - Business

The club's leading scorer in the league was the outgoing captain Steven Gerrard, who managed nine in 29 matches.

The Guardian - Sport

Critics insisted the removal of the Open from live, free-to-air television would damage golf, a claim strongly countered by the outgoing R&A chief executive Peter Dawson.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Sir Denis O'Connor is the outgoing chief inspector of constabulary.

The Guardian

Joining Comey and Obama this year has been the outgoing attorney general, Eric Holder, who in January called the government's accounting for use of force "unacceptable".

The Guardian

Jonathan Jones's article on Penelope Curtis, outgoing director of Tate Britain, (misogynist subtext?) is a highly unpleasant attack on a formidable scholar and curator.

The Guardian - Arts

The production, directed by the National's outgoing boss Nicholas Hytner, is taking the idea of Othello as a war play so seriously that it enlisted a military adviser – the recently retired Major General Jonathan Shaw.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "outgoing" can also refer to something 'leaving' or 'departing'. Ensure the context makes your intended meaning clear. For instance, use it when referring to "outgoing tide".

Common error

Avoid using "outgoing" when you mean "approachable" or "friendly" in a situation where departure is also relevant. This can cause confusion. Make sure the context clarifies whether you're describing personality or departure.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "outgoing" primarily functions to describe a person's disposition as sociable, friendly, and confident in social situations. It can also denote something in the process of leaving or departing. Ludwig AI confirms this multifaceted usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "outgoing" is a versatile adjective that commonly describes someone who is sociable and enjoys interacting with others. It can also refer to something in the process of leaving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, primarily in news media and formal business settings. The frequency of its usage makes it a common term, and its dual meaning necessitates careful consideration of context to ensure clarity. When describing personality, alternatives such as extroverted or gregarious might be more precise, while introverted serves as an antonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extroverted

Focuses specifically on the personality trait of being sociable and enjoying the company of others.

gregarious

Emphasizes the enjoyment of social gatherings and friendliness.

sociable

Highlights the ability to easily form connections and enjoy social interactions.

affable

Stresses a pleasant and friendly demeanor.

amiable

Indicates a generally agreeable and friendly nature.

open

Focuses on being receptive and willing to engage with others.

forthcoming

Implies a willingness to share information and engage in conversation.

personable

Highlights having a pleasant manner and being easy to get along with.

unreserved

Indicates a lack of hesitation or shyness in social situations.

communicative

Focuses on the ability and willingness to express oneself clearly and effectively.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who is friendly and sociable, similar to "outgoing"?

You can use alternatives like "extroverted", "gregarious", or "sociable" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "outgoing" and "extroverted"?

"Outgoing" generally refers to being comfortable and confident in social settings, while "extroverted" describes a personality type characterized by seeking stimulation from external sources and enjoying social interaction.

Can "outgoing" be used in contexts other than describing personality?

Yes, "outgoing" can also refer to something that is leaving or departing, such as "outgoing mail" or "the outgoing tide". The context usually makes the meaning clear.

What is an antonym of "outgoing" when referring to someone's personality?

An antonym of "outgoing" is "introverted", which describes someone who prefers spending time alone and gains energy from internal reflection.