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 of outsider

• 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

Few outsiders know this territory better than the cookbook author Meredith Erickson, whose 2019 book Alpine Cooking, about the traditions and recipes of the mountainous regions of Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and France, was named one of the best cookbooks of that year by The New York Times. —Laura May Todd, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026

The Disney board is not believed to have given serious consideration to bringing in an outsider to replace Iger. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026

The political outsider candidate has a little over $1 million in his campaign account. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026

But Mariam and her family are Muslim, and Mariam already feels like an outsider in her new school community. —Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026

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