outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous (ˌ)au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

1

a

: exceeding the limits of what is usual

the outrageous weather we have been afflicted with

—New Yorker

outrageous prices

b

: not conventional or matter-of-fact : fantastic

outrageous costumes

an outrageous tale

2

: violent, unrestrained

outrageous behavior

3

a

: going beyond all standards of what is right or decent

an outrageous disregard of human rights

b

: deficient in propriety (see propriety sense 2a) or good taste

outrageous language

outrageous manners

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun

Examples of outrageous in a Sentence

They will be punished for their outrageous behavior.

This is outrageous! I will not put up with such treatment.

She's known for her wild hairdos and outrageous costumes.

At first it seemed like an outrageous idea, but then we realized that it wasn't so crazy after all.

The article makes some outrageous claims about her personal life.

Recent Examples on the Web

But any unpalatable class issues at the center of the movie are smoothed over by the outrageous star power of Culkin, who is so charismatic as Kevin that the performance has followed him ever since. —Erin Somers, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

An outrageous budget buster that’s heading for approval will blow a $200 billion hole in the trust fund. —John Fund, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024

Think: a red velvet armadillo cake, outrageous guests, and a cotton-candy-pink color palette. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

So, killing anybody, shooting somebody in the back who was the father of two, is outrageous. —NBC News, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

: extremely annoying, insulting, or shameful : shocking

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun

Legal Definition

outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

: going beyond standards of decency : utterly intolerable in a civilized society

outrageous conduct

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun