outright

1 of 2

adverb

out·​right ˌau̇t-ˈrīt 

1

: in entirety : completely

rejected the proposal outright

outright refuses to cooperate with law enforcement

—Tim Murphy

2

: on the spot : instantaneously

was killed outright

3

: without lien (see lien sense 1) or encumbrance (see encumbrance sense 2)

purchased the property outright for cash

4

: without restraint or reservation

laughed outright

cried outright

5

archaic : straight ahead : directly

outright

2 of 2

adjective

out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt 

1

a

: being completely or exactly what is stated

—used to make a statement more forceful

That is an outright lie!

b

: given without reservation

outright grants for research

c

: made without encumbrance or lien

an outright sale

2

archaic : proceeding directly onward

outrightly adverb

Synonyms of outright

Adjective

• utter
• unconditional
• sheer
• absolute
• complete
• pure
• total
• simple
• definite

Examples of outright in a Sentence

Adverb

She won the competition outright.

The painting is now owned outright by the museum.

Their house was destroyed outright by the fire.

I bought the car outright.

Adjective

I was surprised by their outright rejection of the idea.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Victories by Dallas minister Frederick Haynes III in the 30th Congressional District and Dallas Constable Michael Orozco were the only races in which a man facing a woman won outright in the primary. —Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

This inclination means Karnišovas outright refuses to direct coach Billy Donovan to take any tanking measures, despite clearing the way for this strategy at the trade deadline. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Ejiofor was named the 2025-26 Big East Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Red Storm to the conference’s outright regular-season championship. —Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

Avon Old Farms finished the 2025 season 10-0 and won the Drew Gamere Bowl to claim the outright Class A title. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adjective

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

outright

1 of 2 adverb

out·​right (ˈ)au̇t-ˈrīt 

1

a

: in entirety : completely

sold outright

b

: without holding back

laughed outright

2

: on the spot : instantaneously

killed outright

outright

2 of 2 adjective

out·​right ˈau̇t-ˌrīt 

1

: being exactly what is stated

an outright lie

2

: given without restriction

an outright gift