outright

American  

[out-rahyt, out-rahyt, -rahyt] / ˈaʊtˌraɪt, ˈaʊtˈraɪt, -ˌraɪt /

adjective

1. complete or total.

   an outright loss.

2. downright or unqualified.

   an outright refusal.

3. without further payments due, restrictions, or qualifications.

   an outright sale of the car.

4. Archaic. directed straight out or on.

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adverb

1. completely; entirely.

   Synonyms:

   thoroughly, altogether, utterly, downright

2. without restraint, reserve, or concealment; openly.

   Tell me outright what's bothering you.

3. at once; instantly.

   to be killed outright.

4. without further payments due, restrictions, or qualifications.

   to own the house outright.

5. Archaic. straight out or ahead; directly onward.

outright British  

adjective

1. without qualifications or limitations

   outright ownership

2. complete; total

   an outright lie

3. straightforward; direct

   an outright manner

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adverb

1. without restrictions

   buy outright

2. without reservation or concealment

   ask outright

3. instantly

   he was killed outright

4. obsolete straight ahead or out

Other Word Forms

• outrightness noun

Etymology

Origin of outright

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; out, right

Explanation

If you do something outright, you do it in a wholehearted, unrestricted way. If you declare outright that you’re never eating another cupcake, that’s the end of that. If you eat one anyway, you told an outright lie. If an event is cancelled outright, there's no question about it being rescheduled, and if you buy a new car outright, you pay for it all at once, instead of making monthly payments. Outright means direct and immediate — whether it's an adverb or an adjective: "The child's outright refusal to put on his shoes exasperated his babysitter." It can also mean “right away.” If you step on a slug, you’ll probably kill it outright. Ew.

Example Sentences

This compound, called guanidinoethylbenzylamino imidazopyridine acetate, works by preventing the growth of bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis rather than killing them outright.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

All candidates are far short of the 50% of votes needed to win outright, making a run-off between the top two candidates on 7 June almost certain.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Investors have been quick to dump or outright short software stocks this year, and Friday’s selling action follows a nearly 4% drop for the IGV during Thursday trading.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

There’s a difference between making something provocative and outright, intentional provocation.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Not outright; but Hunters Hunter looked right in his eyes one evening and said, “She got reasons. Even if she crazy. Crazy people got reasons.”

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• absolute
• downright
• pure
• unequivocal
• unmitigated
• utter
• wholesale