castaway

[ kast-uh-wey, kahst- ]

noun

1. a shipwrecked person.
2. anything cast adrift or thrown away.
3. an outcast.

   Synonyms: leper, outlaw, pariah

adjective

1. cast adrift.
2. thrown away.

castaway

/ ˈkɑːstəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a person who has been shipwrecked
2. something thrown off or away; castoff

adjective

1. shipwrecked or put adrift
2. thrown away or rejected

verb

1. tr, adverb; often passive to cause (a ship, person, etc) to be shipwrecked or abandoned

Word History and Origins

Origin of castaway¹

First recorded in 1520–30; noun, adj. use of verb phrase cast away

Example Sentences

You have to switch between the perspectives of the green-eyed castaway, the brown-eyed castaway, and the blue-eyed castaway.

From Time

Mary, Rorie, and the black castaway were seated about the fire in silence; and I could see that Mary had been weeping.

From Project Gutenberg

Think of it, ye who have envied the fate of the castaway on a gorgeous and fertile tropical island perhaps miles in extent!

From Project Gutenberg

Away out at sea, terribly near the coast of Death she saw him, a living being, as the castaway sees a ship on the far horizon.

From Project Gutenberg

I 'm sure mother does n't; and it 's only yourself, Polly, will ever feel a heavy heart for the poor castaway!

From Project Gutenberg

But doubtless these lovely miles and miles of crystalline oceans had been but a desert to the castaway.

From Project Gutenberg