The word 出众 is formed through a direct and vivid conceptual combination of its two components: 出, meaning "to go out" or "to exceed", and 众, meaning "the crowd" or "the multitude". It creates a single idea by visually picturing someone or something "stepping out from" or "rising above" the general mass, thereby conveying the core meaning of being outstanding, exceptional, or conspicuous in a positive sense by literally illustrating the act of distinction from the common group.