outright

1 of 2

adverb

out·​right ˌau̇t-ˈrīt 

1

: in entirety : completely

rejected the proposal outright

outright refuses to cooperate with law enforcement

—Tim Murphy

2

: on the spot : instantaneously

was killed outright

3

: without lien (see lien sense 1) or encumbrance (see encumbrance sense 2)

purchased the property outright for cash

4

: without restraint or reservation

laughed outright

cried outright

5

archaic : straight ahead : directly

outright

2 of 2

adjective

out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt 

1

a

: being completely or exactly what is stated

an outright lie

b

: given without reservation

outright grants for research

c

: made without encumbrance or lien

an outright sale

2

archaic : proceeding directly onward

outrightly adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• absolute
• all-out
• arrant
• blank
• blooming [chiefly British]
• bodacious [Southern & Midland]
• categorical
• categoric
• clean
• complete
• consummate
• crashing
• damn
• damned
• dead
• deadly
• definite
• downright
• dreadful
• fair
• flat
• flat-out
• out-and-out
• perfect
• plumb
• profound
• pure
• rank
• regular
• sheer
• simple
• stark
• stone
• straight-out
• thorough
• thoroughgoing
• total
• unadulterated
• unalloyed
• unconditional
• unmitigated
• unqualified
• utter
• very

Examples of outright in a Sentence

Adverb

She won the competition outright.

The painting is now owned outright by the museum.

Their house was destroyed outright by the fire.

I bought the car outright.

Adjective

I was surprised by their outright rejection of the idea.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Earlier this year, artists from Finland and Iceland called for Israel to be banned from the competition outright for its military offensive in Gaza. —Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024

Perhaps most concerningly, many school leaders are implying or even stating outright that maintaining the quality of your schools is entirely dependent on an early start time. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adjective

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outright

1 of 2 adverb

out·​right (ˈ)au̇t-ˈrīt 

1

a

: in entirety : completely

sold outright

b

: without holding back

laughed outright

2

: on the spot : instantaneously

killed outright

outright

2 of 2 adjective

out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt 

1

: being exactly what is stated

an outright lie

2

: given without restriction

an outright gift