VocabDictionary

outcast

/หˆaสŠt.kรฆst/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A person who has been rejected, expelled, or ostracized by their society, community, or family.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe felt like an outcast among his wealthy peers because of his modest background.โ€
  • โ€œThe stray dog found shelter and care, finally leaving behind its life as an outcast.โ€
2.adjective

Rejected or discarded by a society or social group.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œShe wrote a touching novel about outcast youth finding their own community.โ€
  • โ€œThey formed a band made up of outcast musicians who refused to follow mainstream trends.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œoutcastโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from Middle English, formed as a combination of 'out' (adverb/preposition) and 'casten' (to throw or cast, from Old Norse *kasta*). Originally meaning 'driven out' or 'expelled', the term evolved from literal banishment in feudal societies to describe anyone rejected by society or a social group.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine someone being 'cast out' of a group, standing 'out' in the cold, remaining an 'outcast'.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œoutcastโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œoutcastโ€ in English?

In English, outcast (noun) is defined as: โ€œA person who has been rejected, expelled, or ostracized by their society, community, or family.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œoutcastโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œHe felt like an outcast among his wealthy peers because of his modest background.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œoutcastโ€?

Common synonyms include:pariah,reject,outsider,exile,leper

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œoutcastโ€?

Derived from Middle English, formed as a combination of 'out' (adverb/preposition) and 'casten' (to throw or cast, from Old Norse *kasta*). Originally meaning 'driven out' or 'expelled', the term evolved from literal banishment in feudal societies to describe anyone rejected by society or a social group.