An output circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention includes: an input terminal for receiving an input signal; an
output transistor connected between a first power supply and an output
terminal; a current control circuit connected to the input terminal and
the output transistor for controlling current outflow and inflow for the
gate of the output transistor based on the input signal; a voltage
generating circuit connected to the first power supply; and a switch
circuit coupled between the gate of the output transistor and the voltage
generating circuit, the switch circuit having alternatively an on state
and an off state thereof in response to the input signal; wherein the
switch circuit becomes the off state when the potential difference
between the gate of the output transistor and the first power supply
becomes equal to or below a predetermine value regardless of the voltage
level of the input signal.