outlier

American  

[out-lahy-er] / ˈaʊtˌlaɪ ər /

noun

1. something that lies outside the main body or group that it is a part of, such as a cow far from the rest of the herd, or a distant island belonging to a cluster of islands.

   The small factory was an outlier, and unproductive, so the corporation sold it off to private owners who were able to make it profitable.

2. someone who stands apart from other members of a group, such as by differing behavior, beliefs, or religious practices.

   There are a few scientists who are outliers in their views on climate change.

   Synonyms:

   outsider, heretic, iconoclast, dissenter, dissident, bohemian, eccentric, original, maverick, nonconformist

3. Statistics.

   1. an observation that is well outside of the expected range of values in a study or experiment, and which is often discarded from the data set.

      Experience with a variety of data-reduction problems has led to several strategies for dealing with outliers in data sets.

   2. a person whose abilities, achievements, etc., lie outside the range of statistical probability.

4. Geology. a part of a formation left detached through the removal of surrounding parts by erosion.

5. Obsolete. a person residing outside the place of their business, duty, etc.

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outlier British  

/ ˈaʊtˌlaɪə /

noun

1. an outcrop of rocks that is entirely surrounded by older rocks

2. a person, thing, or part situated away from a main or related body

3. a person who lives away from his place of work, duty, etc

4. statistics a point in a sample widely separated from the main cluster of points in the sample See scatter diagram

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Etymology

Origin of outlier

First recorded in 1600–10; out- + lier

Example Sentences

“The result is that, whilst our allies have developed a more sophisticated approach, the U.K. has become an outlier.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The prime minister believes this has left the UK as an "outlier" among comparable western economies.

From BBC

Spain's socialist-led coalition government has been an outlier on this issue among the larger European nations, underlining the importance of migrants for the economy.

From BBC

Tesla is the outlier in this group: AI spending matters for autonomy and manufacturing automation, but investors still anchor primarily on automotive margins and production efficiency.

From MarketWatch

Two weeks ago Rick Rieder was considered an outlier in the race to become Federal Reserve chair.

From Barron's

Related Words

• aberration
• deviation
• eccentricity
• exception
• oddity