outcast

¹ American  

[out-kast, -kahst] / ˈaʊtˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

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.

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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 American  

[out-kast, -kahst] / ˈaʊtˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

noun

Scot.

1. a falling out; quarrel.

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outcast British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. rejected, abandoned, or discarded; cast out

Etymology

Origin of outcast¹

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

Origin of outcast¹

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

Example Sentences

In shades of today’s generational divide on college campuses, the younger Na’vi have an ethical disagreement with their elders about their rejection of an outcast whale, Payakan, who speaks in comically solemn subtitles.

From Los Angeles Times

She said that I was stingy and mean, an outcast at life’s rich feast.

From The Wall Street Journal

New York was “a crucible where ordinary people, artists, and outcasts brushed shoulders with superstars in the making,” Mr. Ferrando writes.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Yautja are a ruthless culture whose warriors take pride in hunting alone, and Dek’s stubborn adherence to those rules, even as an outcast, is nearly his undoing.

From Salon

Snake is a wonderfully pulpy, instantly iconic creation, an outcast adventurer reeking of sweat and post-Vietnam cynicism.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fugitive
• untouchable
• vagabond