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

But a July 29 SFGATE story about the city of San Diego closing more than half of the 23 restrooms at a park that had 15 million visitors in 2025 — to save a measly $546,000 — illustrated what Gloria’s arguments look like to outsiders. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

That’s left arbitrators using a process that’s frustratingly opaque to outsiders. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Dadd wasn’t a true outsider artist, said Alastair Sooke in The Daily Telegraph. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

Most of their transactions would be seen as minor by outsiders. — Tony East, Forbes.com, 31 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