outgoing

outgoing — adjective

1. comfortable talking to new people, joining groups, and enjoying time with other

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

comfortable talking to new people, joining groups, and enjoying time with other people

Example

Lena's outgoing manner made new students relax during the first lesson.

collocation: outgoing manner

At the wedding, Omar seemed outgoing and chatted with cousins he had just met.

Common collocations
  • outgoing person
  • outgoing personality
  • outgoing manner
  • very outgoing
  • naturally outgoing
Synonyms
  • friendly

    is broader and can describe warm behaviour without strong social confidence

  • sociable

    stresses liking company and spending time with people

  • extroverted

    is more psychological and formal than everyday 'outgoing'

  • gregarious

    is stronger and often suggests loving group activity

Antonyms
  • shy

    describes discomfort about talking to people

  • reserved

    suggests keeping feelings and conversation more private

Grammar Patterns

be outgoing with new people

an outgoing person

an outgoing personality

Usage Note

Often appears after 'be' or before nouns such as person, personality, and manner. Distinguish from adjective/2 LEAVING, which is usually a label before a noun for someone or something departing.

Common Mistakes

My sister is outgoing to make friends.
My sister is outgoing and makes friends easily.
'outgoing' describes personality; it is not followed by 'to' plus a verb.
She is an outgoing very girl.
She is a very outgoing girl.
'very' comes before the adjective phrase.

2. used before a noun for someone about to leave a job, or for people and vehicles

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

used before a noun for someone about to leave a job, or for people and vehicles going out of a place

Example

The outgoing principal thanked the parents before leaving the school.

before noun: outgoing principal

Airport staff checked all outgoing passengers again after the alarm sounded.

collocation: outgoing passengers

Common collocations
  • outgoing principal
  • outgoing manager
  • outgoing chair
  • outgoing passengers
  • outgoing flights
Synonyms
  • departing

    fits travel and movement contexts more directly

  • leaving

    is the plain everyday word and works in many contexts

  • retiring

    is narrower and usually refers to leaving a job because of age or service length

Antonyms
  • incoming

    describes people, messages, or traffic coming in

  • arriving

    focuses on reaching a place rather than leaving it

Grammar Patterns

the outgoing chair

the outgoing manager

an outgoing flight

Usage Note

Almost always comes before a noun, especially a job title or a travel noun such as passenger or flight. Distinguish from adjective/1 FRIENDLY, which describes personality rather than departure.

Common Mistakes

The manager is outgoing from the company next month.
The manager is leaving the company next month.' / 'the outgoing manager
this sense is usually used before a noun, not after 'be'.
The outgoing gave a speech on Friday.
The outgoing president gave a speech on Friday.
'outgoing' is an adjective here, so it needs a noun.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For this sense, 'outgoing' suggests a person who starts talking easily and feels comfortable in groups, even with strangers. 'Friendly' is broader: someone can be friendly and warm without being especially talkative. 'Sociable' stresses enjoying company and social events. 'Extroverted' is more formal and sounds closer to a personality label from psychology. 'Gregarious' is stronger and often suggests someone who actively seeks group life. A new student who chats with everyone on the first day is outgoing; a neighbour who always smiles and helps is friendly; a colleague who loves every office party is sociable.

outgoing ↗friendly ↗sociable ↗extroverted ↗gregarious

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Outgoing was formed in English from out and the -ing form of go. It first described people or things moving away or going out, which led to uses for flights, passengers, and people leaving a job. Later, the idea of reaching outward also shaped the modern sense for a person who easily connects with others.