outgoing

adjective

out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce outgoing (audio)
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
1
a
: going away : departing
an outgoing ship
b
: retiring or withdrawing from a place or position
the outgoing president
c
: directed to an intended recipient
outgoing mail
2
: openly friendly and responsive : extroverted
His outgoing personality made him popular at school.
outgoingness noun

Examples of outgoing in a Sentence

Outgoing mail goes in this box. a salesman whose aggressively outgoing personality could sometimes be overbearing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Carney is slated to take over from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the coming weeks. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025 Both Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede have repeatedly rejected Trump's suggestions. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 The weakened state of (blessedly) outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau creates the space for the freelancing of a figure like Ford. The Editors, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025 The outgoing city representative also stressed that the development could provide the financial boost needed to improve traffic signals at the intersection of Risinger and Summer Creek and incentivize more retailers to set up shop in the neighborhood. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outgoing

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outgoing was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outgoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgoing. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

outgoing

adjective
out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ How to pronounce outgoing (audio)
1
a
: going out : departing
outgoing tide
b
: retiring from a position
the outgoing governor
2
: being at ease and friendly when dealing with others
an outgoing person

More from Merriam-Webster on outgoing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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