noun
Uncommon
outcast
OWT-kahst
Outcast (noun) means a person who has been rejected or excluded by a group or society. Example: “He felt like an outcast at his new school.”
noun
1
A person who has been rejected or excluded by a group or society.
"He felt like an outcast at his new school."
"The village treated her as an outcast after the rumor spread."
adj
1
Rejected or excluded, cast out from a group.
"The outcast prince wandered the kingdom in disguise."
How to use outcast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who has been shut out or shunned by the people around them.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
social outcast
feel like an outcast
treated as an outcast
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Word forms
- Plural
- outcasts
- Third person singular
- outcasts
- Past tense
- outcasted
- Comparative
- more outcast
- Superlative
- most outcast
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He felt like an _____ at his new school.
Etymology
From Middle English outcasten, built from "out-" and "cast," meaning literally to throw or cast out.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “outcast” mean?
The word “outcast” means a person who has been rejected or excluded by a group or society. In plain terms, someone who has been shut out or shunned by the people around them.
How do you pronounce “outcast”?
“Outcast” is pronounced OWT-kahst (/ˈaʊtkæst/ in IPA).
How do you use “outcast” in a sentence?
Here is “outcast” used in a sentence: “He felt like an outcast at his new school.”
What is another word for “outcast”?
Words with a similar meaning to “outcast” include abject, castaway, deviant, exile, fremd and leper.
What part of speech is “outcast”?
Depending on how it is used, “outcast” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “outcast” come from?
The word “outcast” comes from Middle English. From Middle English outcasten, built from "out-" and "cast," meaning literally to throw or cast out.
Is “outcast” a common word?
“Outcast” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “outcast” have?
“Outcast” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who has been rejected or excluded by a group or society.
