Words / B2

owt-STAND-ing/aʊtˈstændɪŋ/

Outstanding means excellent, or not yet paid or done: outstanding work, an outstanding balance, outstanding warrants. Excellent is everyday for the first sense; unpaid / unfinished for the second. In speech, brilliant / still owing is enough. Do not let the two senses collide (an outstanding bill is rarely a compliment), and do not confuse it with standing out merely as “visible”.

Meaning

Excellent; also not yet paid or dealt with (outstanding debts).

Examples

• “She received an award for outstanding teaching.”
• “She won a prize for outstanding teaching.”
• “There is still an outstanding invoice from March, which is the unpaid sense, not praise.”

Good to know

excellent OR not yet paid/done. Everyday: brilliant / unpaid. Keep the two senses apart — context must make the meaning obvious.

Near in meaning

excellent

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