outgoing
adjective
What outgoing means
Friendly, open and enjoying meeting people.
She’s outgoing and makes friends easily.
He’s a bit shy, but his brother is outgoing.
Test yourself
Five questions about outgoing
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Question 1 of 5Meaning
What does outgoing mean?
An outgoing person likes being with others, talks easily to new people and is not shy at parties or in groups.
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Question 2 of 5Situation
At the party, Leyla talked to everyone, introduced herself to strangers and organised a game. She is very…
Leyla enjoys meeting new people and talks to everyone, so she is outgoing. A reserved or insecure person would stay quiet and keep away from strangers.
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Question 3 of 5Gap
My new flatmate is very ___, so our flat is always full of her friends.
Her friends visit all the time, which shows she is sociable and enjoys people, so outgoing fits. A lonely or reserved person would rarely have a full flat.
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Question 4 of 5Opposite
Which word is the opposite of outgoing?
An outgoing person enjoys meeting people and talks easily, while a shy person feels nervous with others and prefers to stay quiet, so shy is the opposite.
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Question 5 of 5Correct use
Which sentence uses outgoing correctly?
Outgoing is an adjective for a sociable person who enjoys people and parties. It does not mean going out somewhere, and as a noun you need outgoing nature or personality.
Keys 1 to 4 pick an answer, Enter goes on.
Outgoing in a sentence
5 more examples of outgoing in everyday situations.
- At work
We need someone outgoing for the front desk who enjoys talking to guests.
- At home
My outgoing roommate knew everyone in the building after just one week.
- Travel
Being outgoing helps when you travel alone and want to meet other people.
- A profile
I’m outgoing and love trying new restaurants with friends.
- At school
Lena is an outgoing student who joins every class discussion.
How to use outgoing
Outgoing describes personality: friendly and talkative. It is a positive word. Extrovert is another word, used in psychology. Shy and reserved are opposites.
Outgoing can also mean leaving: the outgoing president.
Forms
- more outgoingcomparative
- most outgoingsuperlative
Patterns
- an outgoing person / personality
- be outgoing
- more outgoing than someone
Common mistakes with outgoing
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NotI’m outgoing with my friends tonight.
SayI’m going out with my friends tonight.
Outgoing describes a sociable person; to talk about a plan to leave home for fun, say going out.
Outgoing or extrovert or friendly?
- outgoing or extrovert
- Extrovert is a noun for a type of person; outgoing is an adjective. You can say “She’s an extrovert” or “She’s outgoing”, and both describe someone who enjoys being with people.
- outgoing or friendly
- A friendly person is kind and pleasant to others, while an outgoing person also enjoys meeting new people and starting conversations. A shy person can be friendly but not outgoing.
Outgoing is a B2 word. Is that your level? Take the level test or count the words you know.
Outgoing word family and collocations
The words that go with outgoing, so you can use it in a whole phrase.
Common collocations
- an outgoing personality
- outgoing and friendly
- very outgoing
- outgoing nature
- the outgoing manager
Word family
- outgoing (adjective)
Similar words
- sociable
- extrovert
Opposites
- shy
- reserved
Questions about outgoing
What is the opposite of outgoing?
Common opposites are shy, reserved and introverted. Shy is the most everyday word: “He’s shy at first, but his sister is very outgoing.”
Does outgoing have another meaning?
Yes. Outgoing can also mean leaving a job or position, as in “the outgoing president”, or going out, as in “outgoing calls” and “outgoing mail”.
The word before
Do you still remember treatment?
One question about the word from 19 October. Remembering a word a day later helps it stay.
One question
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What does treatment mean?
Treatment is everything doctors and nurses do to make a sick or injured person better, such as giving medicine, doing an operation or giving exercises.
Keys 1 to 4 pick an answer.
More feelings words
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C1
moody
Having moods that change quickly, often becoming unhappy or angry without a clear reason. -
C1
empathy
The ability to understand and share another person’s feelings. -
B1
grateful
Feeling or showing thanks because someone has helped you or given you something. -
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tolerate
To accept something that you do not like without complaining or taking action. -
B2
guilty
Feeling bad because you think you have done something wrong. -
C1
sentimental
Connected with feelings of love or memories, often about the past.