To be easy to see or recognize because of being different or unusual.
Her bright red coat really stuck out in the crowd.
A: Did you notice Tom at the meeting? B: Yeah, he stuck out because he was the only one wearing jeans.
In my opinion, what makes a good teacher stick out is their ability to connect with students.
Common mistake
✗I felt I sticked out at the party.
✓I felt I stuck out at the party.
Irregular past — 'stuck out', not 'sticked out'.
Tell it apart
A tourist sticks out here.
is very noticeable
A nail is sticking out.
protruding — sense 2
Use 'stick out' when something is easy to notice, sometimes because it doesn’t fit in.'Stand out' is often more positive, while 'stick out' can suggest something is awkward or doesn’t belong.
To come out beyond the surface or edge of something.
There was a nail sticking out of the wall.
A: Why won’t this drawer close? B: Something’s sticking out at the back.
When I broke my arm, the bone was actually sticking out, which was really scary.
Common mistake
✗Don't stick out your head from the window.
✓Don't stick your head out of the window.
With a body part, the object goes in the middle: 'stick your head out'.
Tell it apart
His ears stick out.
project outward
His talent sticks out.
is noticeable — sense 1
Use this sense when part of something is physically coming out from a surface or container.This sense is about physical position, not about being noticeable.
To continue to endure or tolerate something challenging or unpleasant until it is finished, especially when it would be easier to quit.
She decided to stick out the final year of her contract, even though the job was extremely demanding.
A: This project is exhausting. I’m not sure I can keep going. B: I know it’s tough, but if you stick it out, you’ll be glad you did.
Although the internship was challenging, I chose to stick it out because I knew the experience would benefit my future career.
Common mistake
✗I'll stick out it.
✓I'll stick it out.
The object 'it' goes in the middle: 'stick it out'.
Tell it apart
I stuck it out till the end.
endured to the finish
I gave up halfway.
quit
'Stick out' in this sense is used when you continue with something difficult or unpleasant until the end. It is neutral in register and often used when talking about enduring hardship, not about being visible or noticeable.This sense is figurative and different from the B-level senses of being noticeable or physically protruding. Here, 'stick out' means to endure a situation, not to be seen or to extend outward.