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

Lions head coach Dan Campbell doesn’t shy away from being himself or from fueling his body with outrageous amounts of caffeine. —Dianna Russini, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025

When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025

Don’t say that outrageous remarks by a Fox News commentator caused a mass shooting at a homeless encampment in Minneapolis. —Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025

Starring Saved by the Bell alum Elizabeth Berkley as Nomi Malone, Showgirls follows her outrageous journey through the Las Vegas revue scene. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

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