outgoing

adjective

out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ 

-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

Synonyms

• boon
• clubbable
• clubable
• clubby
• companionable
• convivial
• extroverted
• extraverted
• gregarious
• sociable
• social

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

Harris, the outgoing taoiseach, assumed the role of deputy prime minister Thursday, and will expect to step back into the role of Ireland’s leader again in 2027. —Kathy Rose O'Brien, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

Coaching Carousel: Aaron Glenn returns Yesterday, the Jets gave outgoing Lions DC Aaron Glenn something to celebrate, via a five-year contract to become their next head coach. —Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

According to flight tracker FlightAware, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) canceled 218 outgoing and 202 incoming flights on Wednesday. —Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025

Start Here By Malia Griggs In a rather strange move, one of outgoing President Joe Biden’s final acts as president was to throw his support behind the Equal Rights Amendment. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

outgoing

adjective

out·​go·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌgō-iŋ 

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