Outgoing

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /aʊtˈɡəʊɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Having a friendly and sociable nature that enjoys interacting with others ; moving away from a place or position, especially at the end of a term ; sending out communications or payments to others
2. Characterized by warmth and ease in social situations ; leaving a role or location as part of a normal transition ; dispatching messages or financial transactions outwardly
3. Displaying an open and engaging behavior towards people ; exiting a place or office at the conclusion of a period ; transmitting outgoing mail or money from one party to another

Etymology: "Outgoing" is a plain English compound: "out" joined to "going," the present participle of "go," with the "-ing" ending. The sense of "friendly with others" grew from the older idea of a person who goes outward, toward other people, rather than staying withdrawn. The adjective's sense has been stable for generations, so the most useful detail is the structure itself. The word also has an older, more literal sense in which "outgoing" simply meant departing or leaving, as in an outgoing tide, an outgoing mail, or an outgoing office-holder who is leaving a post. That sense of moving away from a place still shows in these uses, and the social sense developed alongside it.

Synonyms: sociable, extroverted, friendly, gregarious, affable

Antonyms: shy, reserved, introverted, antisocial, withdrawn