Outstanding

Outstanding is an adjective with several related senses. In everyday language, it describes something exceptionally good or impressive, such as an outstanding performance. In finance and accounting, it refers to amounts or issues that have not yet been settled, paid, or resolved, such as an outstanding balance or outstanding debts. It can also mean prominent or conspicuous, something that stands out from its surroundings.

The word derives from the idea of standing out or being prominent, formed from stand out with the prefix out- and the suffix -ing. Common collocations include outstanding balance, outstanding loan, outstanding shares, outstanding issues, and outstanding performance.

In usage, the sense of quality and the sense of unfinished business can color the interpretation. Financially, outstanding items are typically neutral but may indicate risk or obligation if the amount is large. In nonfinancial contexts, outstanding usually carries a positive connotation when praising quality or achievement. The term is not a synonym of standout in the sense of a person or thing that draws attention by being unusually noticeable; standout is the more typical form for that meaning.