noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

outsider

owt-SEYE-duhr

Outsider (noun) means a person who does not belong to a particular group or community. Example: “As a new employee, she still felt like an outsider at meetings.”

noun

A person who does not belong to a particular group or community.

"As a new employee, she still felt like an outsider at meetings."

"He grew up feeling like an outsider in his own town."

A competitor considered unlikely to win.

"The outsider shocked everyone by winning the race."

How to use outsider

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who isn't part of the "in" group, or a competitor no one expects to win.

Common pairings

feel like an outsider rank outsider

Word forms

outsiders plural

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As a new employee, she still felt like an _____ at meetings.

Synonyms

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stranger non-member long shot underdog

Related words

friend unknown alien stranger neighbour foreigner newcomer beginner

Rhymes for outsider

cider rider spider glider raider slider Haider insider consider provider collider embroider

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Frequently asked questions

What does “outsider” mean?

The word “outsider” means a person who does not belong to a particular group or community. In plain terms, someone who isn't part of the "in" group, or a competitor no one expects to win.

How do you pronounce “outsider”?

“Outsider” is pronounced owt-SEYE-duhr (/ˌaʊtˈsaɪdəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “outsider” in a sentence?

Here is “outsider” used in a sentence: “As a new employee, she still felt like an outsider at meetings.”

What part of speech is “outsider”?

“Outsider” is a noun.

Is “outsider” a common word?

“Outsider” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “outsider” have?

“Outsider” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who does not belong to a particular group or community.

What is the difference between an outsider and an underdog in betting or competition?

An outsider is a competitor considered unlikely to win, which overlaps closely with the term underdog. Both describe someone not expected to succeed, though outsider is especially common in betting contexts.

Is calling someone an outsider always negative?

Not necessarily; it simply describes a person who does not belong to a particular group or community, without inherently being an insult.

What is the difference between an outsider and a stranger?

A stranger is someone unknown to you, while an outsider specifically refers to someone who does not belong to a particular group or community, even if they are otherwise familiar.

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