English Meaning & Definitions
A person who does not belong to a particular group, organization, or society.
- “As a newcomer to the tight-knit community, he often felt like an outsider.”
- “The board decided to bring in an outsider to provide a fresh perspective on the company's problems.”
A competitor, such as a person or a horse, who is considered to have little chance of winning a contest.
- “The political outsider managed to win the primary against several established candidates.”
- “The rank outsider shocked the crowd by winning the gold medal in the final seconds.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “outsider”.
The term emerged in the mid-18th century as a compound of 'out' and 'side,' originally referring to someone who was literally on the outside of a boundary or group. In the early 19th century, it became a common term in horse racing to describe a horse that was not among the favorites to win, eventually broadening to describe anyone excluded from a social or professional circle.
Think of someone standing on the 'outside' of a 'side' or a circle of friends.
Frequently Asked Questions About “outsider”
1. What is the meaning of “outsider” in English?
In English, outsider (noun) is defined as: “A person who does not belong to a particular group, organization, or society.”.
2. How do you use “outsider” in a sentence?
“As a newcomer to the tight-knit community, he often felt like an outsider.”
3. What are English synonyms of “outsider”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “outsider”?
The term emerged in the mid-18th century as a compound of 'out' and 'side,' originally referring to someone who was literally on the outside of a boundary or group. In the early 19th century, it became a common term in horse racing to describe a horse that was not among the favorites to win, eventually broadening to describe anyone excluded from a social or professional circle.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.