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

Liberal and left-wing Christians point out that, far from allying himself with moneyed interests, the Jesus found in the Bible championed the liberation of the poor and outcast, upbraided officials and merchants for their greed and was himself a humble shepherd who, as a baby, escaped persecution in the arms of his refugee parents.

From Salon

Related Words

• fugitive
• untouchable
• vagabond