Outgoings

Outgoings

Noun (plural) · /ˈaʊt.ɡəʊ.ɪŋz/

Definition

Regular expenditure; money that goes out — especially regular financial commitments such as rent, mortgage, bills, subscriptions, and other fixed costs; the sum total of money paid out by a person, household, or business.

Origin

From outgoing (adjective/noun: going out, departing, expenditure) + the plural -s. Outgoing from out (away, beyond) + going (present participle of go). The singular outgoing appearing in financial and commercial contexts from the seventeenth century to mean expenditure or money that goes out — contrasted with income or incomings. The plural outgoings becoming the standard British English term for regular household or business expenditure — the British equivalent of the American expenses. The word carrying a slightly formal but everyday register in personal finance contexts: calculating one's outgoings, reducing outgoings, covering outgoings.