outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er ˌau̇t-ˈsī-dər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
ˈau̇t-ˌsī-
1
: a person who does not belong to a particular group
2
chiefly British : a contender not expected to win
outsiderness noun

Examples of outsider in a Sentence

To outsiders, the ritual may seem strange. She felt like an outsider in her new school. An outsider defeated the champion! She was a rank outsider who managed to win.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet the interest in luring outsiders is something to watch. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024 Many of the details in this article have never been publicly reported, including the jail security camera footage reviewed by a reporter — material that is rarely seen by outsiders. Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 His collection of outsider art, on display at the Drawing Center, is a marvel. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 Contrary to the prevailing notion that Porsche hot-rodders are a rogue faction of outsiders challenging the establishment, the new book Porsche Outlaws: Stuttgart Hot Rods, by Michael Alan Ross, posits that the custom revolution sprang from within the marque itself. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outsider 

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsider was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near outsider

Cite this Entry

“Outsider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsider. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

outsider

noun
out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər How to pronounce outsider (audio)
: a person who does not belong to a particular group

More from Merriam-Webster on outsider

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!