adv
Common
outright
owt-RYT
Outright (adv) means Completely and without reservation; entirely. Example: “She rejected the offer outright.”
adv
1
Completely and without reservation; entirely.
"She rejected the offer outright."
"He bought the car outright instead of taking a loan."
"The farmer refused outright to sell the field to the developers."
adj
1
Total, complete, or unqualified.
"The election was an outright victory for the incumbent."
"The play was an outright disaster, with the scenery collapsing halfway through."
"That's an outright lie, and you know it."
How to use outright
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely and directly, with no half-measures or conditions attached.
Common pairings
outright ban
outright winner
buy outright
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- outrights
- Past tense
- outrighted
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She rejected the offer _____.
Etymology
Came from Middle English outright; on the surface this analyses as out plus right.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “outright” mean?
The word “outright” means completely and without reservation; entirely. In plain terms, completely and directly, with no half-measures or conditions attached.
How do you pronounce “outright”?
“Outright” is pronounced owt-RYT (/aʊtˈɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “outright” in a sentence?
Here is “outright” used in a sentence: “She rejected the offer outright.”
What part of speech is “outright”?
Depending on how it is used, “outright” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Is “outright” a common word?
“Outright” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “outright” have?
“Outright” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: completely and without reservation; entirely.
What is the difference between outright and outrightly?
Outright is the standard form used as both an adverb and an adjective, as in reject it outright or an outright win. Outrightly is a nonstandard variant that most style guides advise avoiding in favor of outright.
Where does outright go in a sentence when used as an adverb?
As an adverb meaning completely and without reservation, outright typically follows the verb it modifies, such as in deny outright or win outright, though it can also appear before a noun in its adjective form, as in an outright lie.
What is the difference between outright and outright ownership in legal or financial contexts?
In legal or financial use, outright as an adjective means total, complete, or unqualified, so outright ownership means owning something fully with no conditions, loans, or shared claims attached.
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