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Definitions

outgoing

[out-goh-ing, -goh-] / ˈaʊtˌgoʊ ɪŋ, -ˈgoʊ- /
ADJECTIVE
demonstrative, extroverted
Synonyms
STRONG
open warm
WEAK
approachable civil communicative cordial easy expansive extrovert friendly genial gregarious informal kind sociable sympathetic unconstrained unreserved unrestrained
Antonyms
WEAK
introverted reclusive shy
ADJECTIVE
leaving
Synonyms
STRONG
departing last retiring withdrawing
WEAK
ex- former migratory outbound outward-bound past
Antonyms
STRONGEST
incoming
WEAK
arriving entering

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for outgoing?
social Outgoing is commonly used to describe a person who actively participates in socializing and seeks out opportunities to socialize. A close synonym is extroverted. Outgoing people are often described as social, sociable, or gregarious. Such people are often friendly and talkative. departing Outgoing is also used to describe things that are… going out—in other words, leaving or departing. For example, when a new president is elected, you might refer to the one leaving office as the outgoing president. (After departure from office is complete, the terms former and ex- are commonly used.) This sense of outgoing is commonly used in the context of things like trains and mail. In these contexts, a close synonym is outbound. A similar term is outward-bound. expenses In the U.K., the word outgoings is used as another word for expenses or expenditures—money paid out or spent. This is more formally known as disbursement or outlay. Essentially, bills.
How is outgoing different from sociable?
Outgoing and sociable are pretty close synonyms. They can both be applied to people (or personalities), and they both suggest that someone thrives in social situations, which they often initiate. However, sociable can be used more broadly to describe situations that involve socializing, as in I had a sociable day—I went to two separate office parties and then happy hour.
What is the opposite (antonym) of outgoing?
The opposite of outgoing in the sense of sociable and extroverted is introverted. Such people are sometimes described as reserved, shy, or bashful. Just because someone isn’t outgoing doesn’t necessarily mean they are unfriendly, antisocial, or standoffish. Being introverted often just means a person prefers more time to themself and is more comfortable socializing in situations with fewer people. Opposites of the sense outgoing that means leaving or departing include incoming and inbound. For example, outgoing mail is mail to be sent out; incoming mail is mail that has been delivered.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last month, outgoing director general Tim Davie said the BBC "profoundly regrets" what happened, adding that the team editing the ceremony had not heard the word and did not intentionally leave it in.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

She’s also engaged in time-honored traditions: recording an outgoing voicemail message, prank calling and fighting with a sibling over who gets to use it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

By the end of Tim Davie's tenure, after mistake after editorial mistake on his watch, the outgoing director general did appear ground down by the job.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

But the outgoing government she heads, a coalition of three parties across the country’s political center, has been losing momentum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Tyson, the outgoing detailer and a former running back and football teammate of Reggie, explained the ropes.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel