Outstanding means exceptionally good or impressive. When a teacher says your essay is outstanding, she means it's far better than average; it shows real skill and effort. An outstanding performance in a school play makes the audience remember it long after the curtain falls.

The word literally suggests standing out from everything around it, like a tall lighthouse rising above the shoreline. An outstanding student produces work that catches everyone's attention because of its quality. Outstanding athletes play so well that people notice them specifically.

Outstanding can also mean something that remains unpaid or unfinished. A library book that's outstanding hasn't been returned yet. A debt that's outstanding still needs to be paid. This meaning is less common in everyday conversation, but you might hear adults say they have “outstanding bills” or “outstanding tasks” to complete.

When someone achieves something outstanding, it usually reflects serious dedication and skill. The word carries real weight; it's not just a casual compliment but recognition that something or someone has reached a high level of excellence.