outrageous

1 of 2

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

outrageousness

2 of 2

noun

out·​ra·​geous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being outrageous

Examples of outrageous in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Some of the most outrageous scenes are between Stacy, who likes to act out, and her forbearing therapist (Will Arnett). —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 June 2026

This is outrageous — and devastating. —CNN Money, 1 June 2026

Pratt’s outrageous on-screen antics placed him at the center of many feuds. —Louis Staples, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Wembanyama’s final Game 7 line wasn’t anything too outrageous. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English oultrageousnes, from oultrageous, outrageous + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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