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

Throughout the novel, outsiders suggest that hagwons might replicate preexisting social inequalities. — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

It's also created an opening for a wave of leftist Democrats like Lawrence who have long argued that their outsider, anticorporate message can have broader appeal than the moderate establishment. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

The film internalizes potential objections about a foreign director making a film that claims insight into Japanese characters’ interiority, with Carter being ritualistically insulted as a gaijin, or outsider. — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

His restrained demeanor contrasts with Moreno, the brash former car dealer who entered politics as an outsider. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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