Outstanding vs. Impressive — What's the Difference?

"Outstanding" is a song originally performed by The Gap Band and written by member Raymond Calhoun. The song originally appeared on the group's platinum-selling 1982 album Gap Band IV. It is one of their signature songs and biggest hits, reaching the number one spot on the U.S. R&B Singles Chart in February 1983.

Making a strong positive impression; inspiring admiration or awe

Exceptionally good

Making, or tending to make, a positive impression; having power to impress

Not yet paid, resolved, or dealt with

Capable of being impressed.

Excellent or exceptionally good

Appealing.

Noticeable or conspicuous

Making, or tending to make, an impression; having power to impress; adapted to excite attention and feeling, to touch the sensibilities, or affect the conscience; as, an impressive discourse; an impressive scene.

Still in existence; not settled or resolved

Capable of being impressed.

Publicly issued and sold

Making a strong or vivid impression;

Present participle of outstand

Producing a strong effect;

Prominent or noticeable; standing out from others.

Exceptionally good; distinguished from others by its superiority.

Projecting outwards.

Unresolved; not settled or finished.

Owed as a debt.

That stands out; undischarged; uncollected; not paid; as, outstanding obligations.

Conspicuously excellent; markedly superior; distinguished.

So prominent so as to attract notice; conspicuous; usually but not always in a good sense.

Distinguished from others in excellence;

Having a quality that thrusts itself into attention;

Of major significance or importance;

Owed as a debt;