outcast
1 Americannoun
adjective
-
cast out, as from one's home or society.
an outcast son.
-
pertaining to or characteristic of an outcast.
outcast misery.
-
rejected or discarded.
outcast opinions.
noun
noun
-
a person who is rejected or excluded from a social group
-
a vagabond or wanderer
-
anything thrown out or rejected
adjective
Etymology
Origin of outcast1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English outcast(e), outecaste; see out-, + cast ( def. )
Origin of outcast2
1590–1600; noun use of verb phrase ( Scottish ) cast out
Explanation
An outcast is someone who isn't wanted. To remember what outcast means, flip it around: outcasts have been cast out from somewhere. No one wants to be an outcast: such people are rejected by their peers. We all feel like outcasts sometimes. For example, if no one wants to sit with you at lunch, you will probably feel like an outcast. There are much more serious cases too: if a person is thrown out of a community or country, they are considered an outcast (or an exile).
Vocabulary lists containing outcast
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Out of My Mind
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Tribute to the Dog," Vocabulary from the speech
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Did no one ever try to make me feel like an outcast?
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
Before starring in “Severance” and “Parks and Recreation,” actor Adam Scott was a self-described outcast making saltwater taffy on the Santa Cruz, Calif., boardwalk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
Chelsea outcast Liam Delap is one name regularly linked with Everton.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
“Thomas Jefferson was a man of the world. I’m sure he knew gay people. Sally Hemings was enslaved, so I would think she’d be more empathetic because of being an outcast and an outsider.”
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Back in Kiev, the others outcast me for what I did,” Grigori said, prowling closer.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
