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

• foreigner
• nonnative
• outlander
• stranger

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

In the same year that 5,000-1 outsider Leicester shocked all and sundry by winning the 2015-16 Premier League, the Broncos were underdogs in the Super Bowl but beat the Carolina Panthers. —Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

But Edlin believes that the outsider art category does have a distinct culture. —Hilarie M. Sheets, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

But there’s also this general notion of Melissa being an outsider and needing to perform for the group. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025

Duquette, who has lived in the Bay for over 20 years, met Ghazi in 2023 and found a kindred spirit determined to rectify the negative perceptions held by outsiders. —Dan Rys, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər 

: a person who does not belong to a particular group