stuck out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stuck out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something physically appearing to protrude from something else, usually in a noticeable manner. Example: The small girl had her tongue stuck out as she tried to pick up the heavy box.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He stuck out his arm.

The New York Times

A few things stuck out.

The New York Times

I stuck out my hand.

The New York Times

Two things stuck out.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They just stuck out".

The New York Times - Sports

Then Stone mischievously stuck out his tongue.

The New Yorker

Owen stuck out his hand: "Clive Owen".

The New Yorker

She stuck out and fit in.

The New York Times

Walker stuck out his tongue and chuckled.

The New York Times - Sports

I felt I stuck out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We exchanged stuck-out tongues.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stuck out" when you want to emphasize that something was easily noticeable or physically protruded from something else. Ensure the context makes it clear whether you're referring to a physical or metaphorical prominence.

Common error

Avoid using "stuck out" when you mean "stuck up", which describes someone who is arrogant or conceited. "Stuck out" refers to something being noticeable or protruding, while "stuck up" refers to a personality trait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stuck out" functions primarily as a verb phrase, specifically the past tense of the phrasal verb "stick out". It describes the action of something protruding or being noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "stuck out" functions to emphasize prominence or distinctiveness and sees frequent usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. When using the phrase, be sure to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "stuck up", which carries a different meaning. Alternatives such as "stood out" or protruded may be used depending on the context. With an expert rating of 4.5, "stuck out" remains a reliable and effective phrase for highlighting noteworthy elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stood out

This alternative uses a very similar phrasal verb with 'stood' in place of 'stuck'.

protruded

This alternative directly replaces "stuck out" with a synonym emphasizing physical projection.

projected

This alternative emphasizes the act of extending outwards.

extended outward

This alternative describes the action of something reaching outwards, similar to protruding or sticking out.

was noticeable

This alternative focuses on the conspicuousness of something, rather than physical projection.

was prominent

This alternative highlights the quality of being important or easily seen.

was conspicuous

This alternative emphasizes the quality of being easily noticeable or attracting attention.

caught the eye

This alternative shifts the focus to the visual impact of something that "stuck out".

emerged

This alternative suggests something coming out from a surrounding context.

featured

This alternative suggests something highlighted or presented prominently.

FAQs

How can I use "stuck out" in a sentence?

Use "stuck out" to describe something that was noticeable or physically protruded. For example, "His ears "stuck out" because he was listening intently" or "That building "stuck out" from the skyline".

What is a synonym for "stuck out"?

Synonyms for "stuck out" include "stood out", protruded, or was noticeable. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "stuck out" or "sticked out"?

"Stuck out" is the correct past tense form of the phrasal verb "stick out". "Sticked out" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when something "stuck out" to you?

When something ""stuck out"" to you, it means it was particularly noticeable or memorable. It caught your attention in some way.