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.
The longer underinvestment and drift continue, the more likely outsiders will dictate the terms. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 From the Roman centurion to the woman at the well, Jesus frequently interacted with and helped outsiders from differing tribes. John Fugelsang september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025 From before the Revolution onward, physical punishment or even killing were ways to enforce belonging, to mark the boundary between insiders and outsiders, and to decide who had the right to govern. Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025 The island is home to the Shompen, an indigenous people numbering between 200 and 400, who shun contact with outsiders and are among the last hunters, gatherers, and cultivators. M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Outsider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsider. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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

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