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 of outsider

• stranger
• foreigner

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

They’re seen as oligarchs, as the people with wealth and power, controlling our lives—not as outsider insurgents. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

University students have joined the movement, as well as non-student outsiders. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Soaking the suburbs over parking is reminiscent of other foolish, revenue-grabbing ideas, such as a congestion tax aimed at outsiders as a way to gin up money to cover Chicago’s ever-present budget black hole. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Argentine President Javier Milei, who in 2023 ran an outsider campaign against economic mismanagement, faces an uphill 2027 reelection bid as Argentines struggle with day-to-day economic challenges despite the country’s macroeconomic improvements. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outsider

• collider
• confider
• divider
• insider
• provider
• cider
• cyder
• eider
• glider
• hider
• rider
• schneider

Kids Definition

outsider

noun

out·​sid·​er (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd-ər 

: a person who does not belong to a particular group