outstanding

/aʊtˈstændɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /aʊtˈstændɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ ˈau̇t-ˌstan-/ (ame, mw)

outstanding — adjective

  • outstandingpositive
  • more outstandingcomparative
  • most outstandingsuperlative

1. extremely good in a way that is easy to notice

1.形容詞B2
釋義

extremely good in a way that is easy to notice

例句

Mina gave an outstanding speech at the school science fair.

outstanding + performance noun

The young doctor did outstanding work during the storm last winter.

同義詞
  • excellent

    a very close everyday synonym for quality that is extremely high

  • exceptional

    stresses that something is far above the usual level

  • remarkable

    focuses on something impressive enough to deserve attention

  • impressive

    slightly broader and often stresses the effect on other people

反義詞

文法句型

an outstanding performance

outstanding service

be outstanding

be outstanding in + area

用法筆記

Common with nouns such as work, service, student, performance, and achievement. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about being especially noticeable or important, not simply very good.

常見錯誤

The school gave Maya an outstanding bill for her grades.
The school gave Maya an outstanding award for her grades.
💡In this sense, outstanding praises quality; it does not mean unpaid.

2. not yet dealt with, paid, or completed

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not yet dealt with, paid, or completed

例句

We still have two outstanding bills from the move last month.

outstanding bills

Two questions remained outstanding after the meeting ended.

remain outstanding

同義詞
  • unpaid

    used when money is still owed

  • unfinished

    used when work or a task has not been completed

  • unresolved

    used when a question, problem, or complaint is not settled

  • pending

    slightly more formal, often used for decisions or official matters

反義詞
  • paid

    money has already been given

  • settled

    a question, debt, or problem has been dealt with

文法句型

outstanding bill

outstanding balance

remain outstanding

still be outstanding

用法筆記

Often appears with bill, debt, balance, payment, question, complaint, and issue. Distinguish from sense 3: an outstanding feature is easy to notice, but an outstanding bill or question is one that still needs action.

常見錯誤

She is outstanding the payment.
The payment is still outstanding.
💡In this sense, outstanding describes the unpaid or unfinished thing, not the person doing the action.

3. especially easy to notice or important compared with other things

3.形容詞C1
釋義

especially easy to notice or important compared with other things

例句

One outstanding feature of the kitchen is the long wooden table.

collocation: outstanding feature

One outstanding point in the report is the lack of bus shelters.

outstanding point in + report

同義詞
  • prominent

    stresses that something stands out clearly from what is around it

  • notable

    used for something worth noticing or mentioning

  • major

    focuses more on importance than on visibility

  • striking

    stresses a strong visual or mental effect

反義詞

文法句型

an outstanding feature

an outstanding reason

the most outstanding building

用法筆記

Usually before nouns like feature, fact, reason, point, and landmark. Distinguish from sense 1: an outstanding student is excellent, while an outstanding feature is the one that stands out most clearly.

常見錯誤

The essay has one outstanding bill.
The essay has one outstanding point.
💡This sense is about a main or noticeable part, not unpaid money.