adjective

outgoing

/ˈaʊtɡoʊɪŋ/ · say it: OUT·go·ing

friendly and socially confident

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) friendly and enjoying social interaction with other people

2. (adjective) going out or leaving

3. (adjective) the person who is leaving a position or job

Examples

1. She has an outgoing personality and makes friends easily.
2. Outgoing flights are delayed due to bad weather.
3. The outgoing president will leave office next month.

How to use outgoing

Outgoing primarily describes a personality trait indicating comfort with social interaction and meeting new people. It can also denote something physically leaving or departing (outgoing mail, outgoing flights) or a person departing a role (outgoing director). The personality sense is most common in everyday conversation and is generally positive.

Common phrases

outgoing personality
outgoing person
outgoing mail
outgoing president
outgoing chief executive
outgoing call

Synonyms

sociable · gregarious · extroverted · personable · affable

Opposites

introverted · withdrawn · reserved

Word family

outgoingly (adverb) · outgoingness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse outgoing with going out, thinking it means the person likes to go out to parties or clubs, when it specifically refers to the personality trait of being sociable and enjoying interaction with others.

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