standout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral. Common in journalism, sports commentary, business, and everyday praise. Less common in formal academic writing.
Quick answer
What does “standout” mean?
Something or someone that is conspicuously excellent, superior, or prominent compared to others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something or someone that is conspicuously excellent, superior, or prominent compared to others.
Can refer to a person, performance, feature, or object that attracts attention due to its exceptional quality or distinctiveness. In sports, often used for a player who performs exceptionally well. In business/marketing, refers to a product or feature that differentiates itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, but fully understood and used in British English. In UK, alternatives like 'star performer' or 'outstanding' might be marginally more frequent in certain contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of informal praise. In US sports journalism, it's a very established term.
Frequency
High frequency in US media (sports, entertainment, business). Medium-high frequency in UK media.
Grammar
How to Use “standout” in a Sentence
[be] a standout + among/between/in + NP[have] a standout + NP (e.g., have a standout year)[emerge as] the standout + NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “standout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bright packaging is designed to stand out on the supermarket shelf.
- Her dedication makes her stand out from other applicants.
American English
- The quarterback's speed really makes him stand out on the field.
- We need a logo that will stand out in a crowded market.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. Use 'outstandingly'.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. Use 'outstandingly'.
adjective
British English
- She gave a standout performance as Lady Macbeth.
- The standout issue for voters is the economy.
American English
- He was the standout rookie of the season.
- The report listed several standout findings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a product, employee, or strategy that significantly outperforms others. 'The new software's user interface was the standout feature at the trade show.'
Academic
Rare in formal papers. Might appear in informal reviews or summaries: 'Smith's 1995 paper remains a standout in the field.'
Everyday
Common for praising things or people: 'Her dish was the standout of the potluck dinner.' 'He's always been a standout in maths.'
Technical
Not typically technical. Used in descriptive analysis (e.g., data visualization: 'The outlier point is a clear standout on the graph.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “standout”
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “standout”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He standouts' – incorrect; correct: 'He stands out' or 'He is a standout').
- Overusing as a synonym for 'good'. It implies being the *best among specified options*.
- Misspelling as two words ('stand out') when used as a noun/attributive adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on its function. As a noun or attributive adjective, it's one word: 'a standout', 'a standout player'. As a verb phrase, it's two words: 'to stand out'.
Typically, no. It almost always has a positive connotation of excellence. For something negatively conspicuous, use 'sore thumb', 'outlier' (neutral), or 'blemish'.
'Outstanding' is a general adjective meaning 'exceptionally good'. 'Standout' is primarily a noun or attributive adjective that implies being the best or most noticeable *within a specific group or context*. 'A standout player' is the best on the team; 'an outstanding player' is excellent without that direct comparison.
No, it's informal to neutral. It's perfectly acceptable in journalism, business communication, and everyday speech, but for the most formal academic or official documents, synonyms like 'preeminent', 'exceptional', or 'foremost' might be preferred.
Something or someone that is conspicuously excellent, superior, or prominent compared to others.
Standout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstandaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstænˌdaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The standout in a crowd of...”
- “A standout from the pack.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who STANDS OUT from a group. They are the STANDOUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISIBILITY/PROMINENCE IS QUALITY (Something that protrudes or is more visible is better.)
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'standout' used INCORRECTLY?