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

John Oliver’s soap opera summer continues this week, with the Last Week Tonight host donning a truly outrageous wig for a three-episode stint on Days of Our Lives. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Of course, Gems’ multiple drafts were only the beginning; once the script was ready to green-light, Burton’s design and effects teams had to figure out how to actually bring Gems’ outrageous flights of imagination to life. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

There are some outrageous plot twists that seem designed just to show how irredeemable Lindalyn is and how few rays of hope shine on the others. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026

And there’s plenty more moving yet outrageous craziness to come. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for outrageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• courageous
• disadvantageous

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