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

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Having been a royal outcast for all these decades, she's learnt not to attach too much weight to things like that."

Read more on BBC

He’s someone who, despite his own tremendous loss, is determined to keep doing what’s right and see the best in people — including demons who often were social outcasts before they were turned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fugitive 
• untouchable 
• vagabond