stickout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “stickout” mean?
to extend beyond a surface or boundary.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to extend beyond a surface or boundary; to be very noticeable or obvious.
To endure a difficult situation; to be prominent or conspicuous; (informal) to protrude.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Stick out like a sore thumb' is slightly more common in AmE corpus data. 'Stick it out' (endure) is equally common.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly informal in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English according to corpora like COCA and BNC, but difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “stickout” in a Sentence
NP stick out (PP) (literal)NP stick out (PP) (figurative)stick NP out (endure)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stickout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bolt sticks out and could catch your clothes.
- She decided to stick the course out despite the difficulties.
- His ears really stick out, doesn't they?
American English
- A nail was sticking out of the board.
- You have to stick out the last few months of your contract.
- His attitude sticks out in every team meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our new product design really sticks out on the shelf." (marketing)
Academic
"The data point sticks out as a significant anomaly."
Everyday
"My keys were sticking out of my pocket."
Technical
"The reinforcing bar must not stick out beyond the concrete surface." (construction)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stickout”
- *He sticked out his tongue. (Correct: stuck)
- *The problem sticks. (Needs 'out' for prominence)
- Using 'stick out' without an object for 'endure' (needs 'it' as in 'stick it out').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can say 'stick your tongue out' or 'stick out your tongue'. For the 'endure' meaning, it's usually 'stick it out' or 'stick this out'.
They are often synonyms for 'be conspicuous'. 'Stick out' can be more informal and often implies a physical protrusion. 'Stand out' is more common for positive distinction (e.g., 'stands out from the crowd').
The past tense is 'stuck out' (irregular verb).
For the literal meaning (protrude), yes. For the figurative meanings (be conspicuous, endure), it is best suited to informal or neutral contexts. In formal academic writing, synonyms like 'protrude', 'are conspicuous', or 'persevere' are often preferred.
to extend beyond a surface or boundary.
Stickout: in British English it is pronounced /stɪk aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɪk aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stick out like a sore thumb”
- “stick your neck out”
- “stick it out”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sticky piece of gum sticking OUT of a table.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISIBILITY IS BEING OUT / ENDURANCE IS HOLDING A POSITION
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'We just have to stick this out for another week,' what does 'stick out' mean?