outcast

¹

[ out-kast, -kahst ]

noun

1. a person who is rejected or cast out, as from home or society:

   In the beginning the area was settled by outcasts, adventurers, and felons.

   Synonyms: pariah, leper, expatriate, refugee, exile

2. rejected matter; refuse.

adjective

1. cast out, as from one's home or society:

   an outcast son.

2. pertaining to or characteristic of an outcast:

   outcast misery.

3. rejected or discarded:

   outcast opinions.

outcast

²

[ out-kast, -kahst ]

noun

, Scot.

1. a falling out; quarrel.

outcast

/ ˈaʊtˌkɑːst /

noun

1. a person who is rejected or excluded from a social group
2. a vagabond or wanderer
3. anything thrown out or rejected

adjective

1. rejected, abandoned, or discarded; cast out

Word History and Origins

Origin of outcast¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English outcast(e), outecaste; out-, + cast ( def )

Origin of outcast²

1590–1600; noun use of verb phrase ( Scottish ) cast out

Example Sentences

To me, the story about this black nerd from the projects of Virginia who sees the world differently... and it makes him an outcast for a long time.

From BBC

“Joan was in a sorority in high school; she was a joiner. Eve was the outcast.”

From Los Angeles Times

Burton has long been considered a "tortured outcast" and self-declared "weirdo".

From BBC

The four Ghostbusters, for instance, bring distinct skills and backgrounds to the table, while the witches in "The Craft" each embody a different archetype of teenage girlhood, from outcast to queen bee.

From Salon

Her father was the well-regarded blues musician Mike Stamper, and her mum, Louise Renee, was a librarian – but with little money coming into the household, Stamper was a high school outcast.

From BBC

Related Words

• fugitive
• untouchable
• vagabond