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

Even—perhaps especially—for a Beltway outsider, ascending the American political ladder requires a tremendous amount of glad-handing and personal magnetism, if not charm. — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Beyond just seeing him as an outsider, the loudest critiques of Cenat’s foray into fashion seem to be wrapped up in a broader disdain for streamer culture writ large. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Rote has long been open to outsiders—and that is increasingly rare in this world of ours. — Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

Close to half of the Zillow clicks to view rentals in Austin, Texas, came from outsiders. — Los Angeles Times, 11 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