: being such completely at all times, in every way, or from every point of view
an out-and-out fraud

Examples of out-and-out in a Sentence

an out-and-out cheater at every game she plays her story is not just an exaggeration, it's an out-and-out lie mounted an out-and-out effort to find the lost child
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.
Reasonable doubt can lead to an out-and-out acquittal or even a mistrial, which can be a gift to the defendant if prosecutors decide to not try the case again. Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 As Americans become more polarized, even family dinners can feel fraught, surfacing differences that could spark out-and-out conflict. Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 Russo, who has avoided serious injury and is set to return to play for Arsenal this month, is an out-and-out centre-forward, a grafter who uses her strength to take care of the ball and stitch play, but is also becoming a more ruthless penalty-box striker. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Lauren Hemp, out injured at the moment, has played at centre-forward but is not an out-and-out No 9 and brings different qualities. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for out-and-out

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of out-and-out was in 1813

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Out-and-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-and-out. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

out-and-out

adjective
ˌau̇t-ᵊn-ˈ(d)au̇t
: being exactly what is stated : complete, thoroughgoing
an out-and-out crook

More from Merriam-Webster on out-and-out

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