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

Also knighted was Rufus Norris, the outgoing director of the National Theatre, for his services to stage. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 June 2025

He’s always been outgoing, growing up in Southern California, so this is nothing new to him. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025

Suns receive: Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson, Denver’s 2031 or 2032 first-round pick, (incoming salary of $50.7 million, outgoing salary of $54.7 million). —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 June 2025

Emily is a warm, empathetic, and outgoing child who shines in the spotlight and enjoys connecting with those around her. —Mare Staff, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for outgoing

• bestowing
• churchgoing
• elbowing
• fallowing
• farrowing
• foregoing
• forgoing
• ongoing
• outflowing
• outgrowing
• seagoing
• tiptoeing

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