far-out

American  

[fahr-out] / ˈfɑrˈaʊt /

adjective

Slang.

1. unconventional; offbeat; avant-garde.

2. radical; extreme.

3. recondite or esoteric.

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far-out British  

adjective

1. bizarre or avant-garde

2. excellent; wonderful

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interjection

1. an expression of amazement or delight

far out Idioms  

1. Unusual or eccentric; very advanced. for example, Painting blindfolded, that's far out , or Her child-rearing theories are far out .

2. An interjection meaning “great” or “cool,” as in All he could say when he won the lottery was “Far out!” Originally a slang term for daringly creative jazz, this expression has been applied to other art forms and undertakings. [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]

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Other Word Forms

• far-outness noun

Etymology

Origin of far-out

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Sam Altman’s project to help humans distinguish themselves from bots is increasingly banking on household names to sell its far-out concept.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

While some applications for this material are far-out, the authors noted active interest from the U.S.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

Organizers say the expo was always designed as a clearinghouse for far-out ideas, but there have been times when its open-minded, anything-goes attitude has gone too far.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2024

So the fact that we now find ourselves confronted with technologies Dick dreamt up as far-out cautionary tales should give us pause.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2023

Whatever Petey’s missed opportunity was, it had to have something to do with all these far-out gadgets and his lack of confidence.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles