outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er ˌau̇t-ˈsī-dər 

ˈau̇t-ˌsī-

1

: a person who does not belong to a particular group

2

chiefly British : a contender not expected to win

outsiderness noun

Synonyms of outsider

• stranger
• foreigner

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

Catherine’s background — not being born into the royal family — gives her a clear outsider’s perspective. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026

The market is now eagerly awaiting signs that attempts by De Meo — whose surprise appointment last year marked the company’s first outsider CEO — to turn Kering around are starting to bear fruit. —Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026

Democrats have separately been highlighting smokejumper Sam Forstag’s entrance into the race as offering the party a notable outsider candidate. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026

To an outsider, this looks like a mundane infrastructure dispute. —Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outsider

• collider
• confider
• divider
• insider
• provider
• cider
• cyder
• eider
• glider
• hider
• rider
• schneider

Kids Definition

outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər 

: a person who does not belong to a particular group