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

The outsider artist—which really does feel like the best way to describe her work as composer, book writer, and star—is Jennifer Nettles, half of the country-music band Sugarland, who has also pursued a career as an actor. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Courting progressives Holscher has styled herself as a populist outsider and a foil to Kelly. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Count Binface is not the only outsider hoping to challenge Farage. — Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 10 July 2026

The surest way in for an outsider is to buy it, acquiring a domestic company and running it as a local subsidiary. — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 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