What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outstanding
Example
The athlete's performance was outstanding and earned her a gold medal. [outstanding: adjective]
Example
He has an outstanding balance on his credit card that he needs to pay off. [outstanding: adjective]
Example
There are still outstanding issues that need to be addressed before the project can be completed. [outstanding: adjective]
unpaid
Example
She worked as an unpaid intern at the company for six months. [unpaid: adjective]
Example
The utility bill is still unpaid and needs to be taken care of. [unpaid: adjective]
Example
He owes a large sum of unpaid taxes to the government. [unpaid: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unpaid is more commonly used than outstanding in everyday language, especially in the context of bills, debts, and financial matters.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outstanding and unpaid?
Outstanding can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while unpaid is more commonly used in informal contexts and may sound too casual in formal settings.
