Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
outstanding
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word 'outstanding' is a perfectly valid and correct word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is truly remarkable or exceptional. For example: "Her artwork was outstanding and admired by all who saw it."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"He is the outstanding football presenter of his generation, combining great authority from his very distinguished playing career with wonderful broadcasting instincts and sharpness – making him a true star performer".
News & Media
Outstanding issues include pensions, labour market reform, VAT rates and Greece's budget targets.
News & Media
Most unexpectedly, the outstanding Nitrous morphs from a lament to a laughing-gas seller into an unlikely folk deconstruction of Olive's 90s pop-dance hit You're Not Alone.
News & Media
"I am so excited that Brenda has made it," said Loyce, wearing an outstanding red floral flowing busuuti (type of dress).
News & Media
And, given the quality of many of the fall additions – Mulaney, Bad Judge – it's a situation that might not change any time soon. The outstanding Showtime drama, which stars Ruth Wilson and Dominic West as the participants in the titular affair, both telling their side of the story as they saw it, hasn't been a ratings smash, though figures have been rising as the first season progresses.
News & Media
The schools becoming academies were far from random ("outstanding" institutions enjoyed special freedoms to convert; failing schools were sometimes forced), so the department proposed, and identified funds for, a systematic evaluation.
News & Media
New this year is an adventure in and around the Binevenagh area of outstanding natural beauty, with kayaking on the Roe river and mountain biking on Binevenagh mountain, finishing on the shore below iconic Mussenden Temple.
News & Media
"The Hungarian game has always been built on or round outstanding individuals," wrote Willy Meisl in 1956, and by the 1954 World Cup Hungary had an entire team of them.
News & Media
Jones stifled Ryan Giggs and launched a couple of forward raids of his own during an outstanding debut that earned him the man of the match award.
News & Media
Any financial liabilities held, such as outstanding balances on credit cards and student loans, are then subtracted to provide a net measure of wealth Private pension wealth: this includes occupational and personal pensions as well as retained rights in private pensions and pensions in payment.
News & Media
The attack was reported as late-night political talks aimed at resolving outstanding peace process disagreements continued in Belfast.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "outstanding" to describe achievements, qualities, or performances that significantly exceed expectations. This adds emphasis and recognition to the subject being described.
Common error
Avoid using "outstanding" to describe ordinary or commonplace things. Reserve it for situations where exceptional merit or impact is genuinely present.
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "outstanding" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate exceptional quality or prominence. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its use across diverse contexts to highlight superior attributes. Examples include describing "outstanding performance" or "outstanding individuals".
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
33%
Science
32%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The term "outstanding" is a versatile adjective used to denote exceptional quality, prominence, or unresolved matters. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While phrases like "exceptional", "remarkable", and "excellent" offer similar meanings, "outstanding" uniquely balances formality and expressiveness. To use it effectively, reserve "outstanding" for genuinely exceptional instances and avoid overuse in mundane situations. Its consistent usage and clarity contribute to its recognition as a high-quality descriptor.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
exceptional
Similar in meaning, emphasizing rarity and superiority.
remarkable
Highlights noteworthiness and memorability.
excellent
Indicates a very high quality or standard.
distinguished
Suggests recognized excellence and eminence.
notable
Emphasizes prominence and importance.
prominent
Focuses on being easily noticeable or important.
striking
Indicates something that immediately attracts attention.
first-rate
Informal term for top quality.
top-notch
Similar to "first-rate", indicating superior quality.
unresolved
When referring to pending matters or debts.
FAQs
How to use "outstanding" in a sentence?
You can use "outstanding" to describe something that is exceptionally good or prominent. For example, "She delivered an outstanding performance" or "The school has an outstanding reputation".
What can I say instead of "outstanding"?
You can use alternatives like "exceptional", "remarkable", or "excellent" depending on the context.
Is it correct to use "outstanding" to describe unresolved issues?
Yes, "outstanding" can also refer to something that is unresolved or pending, such as "outstanding debts" or "outstanding questions".
What is the difference between "outstanding" and "distinguished"?
"Outstanding" generally means exceptionally good or prominent, while "distinguished" implies recognized excellence and eminence. While similar, "distinguished" often carries a sense of prestige and formal recognition.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested