Words / B2

STAND-ing/ˈstændɪŋ/

Standing is reputation or status; of long standing means existing for a long time: the sixth form’s standing; a dispute of long standing. Status is close (already in the dictionary); reputation is public opinion (already elsewhere). The sixth form’s standing collapsed. Mix-up: stand is the verb (already in the dictionary); outstanding means excellent or unpaid. Do not write standing for “outstanding grade”.

Meaning

Reputation or status; also of long standing means existing for a long time.

Examples

• “The sixth form’s standing with the board collapsed after the unsealed pack.”
• “A convention of long standing featured in the politics paper, which is the duration sense.”

Good to know

standing with / in; of long standing; standing ovation. Close: status. Trap: outstanding. News, politics, and sport (league standing). Reputation or duration, not “excellent”.

Near in meaning

status

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