outré

American  

[oo-trey] / uˈtreɪ /

adjective

1. passing the bounds of what is usual or considered proper; unconventional; bizarre.

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outré British  

/ ˈuːtreɪ /

adjective

1. deviating from what is usual or proper

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Etymology

Origin of outré

First recorded in 1715–25; from French, past participle of outrer “to push beyond bounds” ( see outrage)

Explanation

Outre things are eccentric or shockingly strange. Your outre outfit might be fine to wear to a Halloween party but less appropriate for a job interview. The adjective outre is often spelled with its French accent: outré. In French, this word means "exaggerated, excessive, or extreme," and is a past participle of the verb outrer, "to carry to excess or overdo," from outre, "beyond." If something is beyond what's considered normal or ordinary, it's outre: "His one-man play was so bizarrely outre that the audience didn't know how to respond."

Example Sentences

Sommer has been covering the grotesqueries of outré right-wing conspiracy culture for nearly a decade now.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

Yet Keaton’s off-kilter taste—reflected elsewhere in her rambling dialogue delivery and outré fashion sense—is in evidence in her attraction to the strange personalities asked to ruminate on the hereafter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Without food, Bong’s work would lose the indelible humanity that even his most outré, provocative films hold as a point of pride.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2025

But not all of Marlon’s brainstorms were so outré, and here is the Brando’s principal innovative success.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2024

When Len followed Moira determinedly into the consulting room, Berry looked mildly shocked for a moment, then apparently decided to carry on as if nothing outré had happened.

From Special Delivery by Knight, Damon Francis