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

• 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

And in late June, Starbase officials began exercising some of that control with a vote passing a law to close several of the city’s public streets to outsiders. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

For too long, Māori had been shown as one thing—as outsiders, as one-dimensional, as every negative stereotype there is. —Shilo Kino august 4, Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025

The event turns out to be an NRA party and Sophie immediately feels like an outsider. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Newer cars and even some home appliances — like dishwashers and refrigerators — now connect to the internet, potentially giving outsiders information about a person’s habits. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025

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