outright

[out-rahyt, out-rahyt, -rahyt]

adjective

1. complete or total.

   an outright loss.

2. downright or unqualified.

   an outright refusal.

3. without further payments due, restrictions, or qualifications.

   an outright sale of the car.

4. Archaic.,  directed straight out or on.

adverb

1. completely; entirely.

   Synonyms: thoroughly, altogether, utterly, downright

2. without restraint, reserve, or concealment; openly.

   Tell me outright what's bothering you.

3. at once; instantly.

   to be killed outright.

4. without further payments due, restrictions, or qualifications.

   to own the house outright.

5. Archaic.,  straight out or ahead; directly onward.

outright

adjective

1. without qualifications or limitations

   outright ownership

2. complete; total

   an outright lie

3. straightforward; direct

   an outright manner

adverb

1. without restrictions

   buy outright

2. without reservation or concealment

   ask outright

3. instantly

   he was killed outright

4. obsolete,  straight ahead or out

Other Word Forms

• outrightness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of outright¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; out, right

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the BOJ is scheduled to make outright purchases today of four JGB sectors including sovereign securities with tenors of more than 25 years, which could lend support to the market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While not all voters swallowed the story outright, the operation appeared intended to sow doubts in their minds about the 83-year-old incumbent's physical ability to continue as head of state.

Read more on Barron's

The 39 scientists of the endangerment study at least refrain from the outright fraud of failing to distinguish net from gross.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The party has never won an outright majority in a Senedd election, so has almost always relied on other parties' help to pass budgets.

Read more on BBC

This has been a bruising window for Bellamy, whose decision to take on England in a friendly at Wembley last Thursday was met with a mixture of scepticism, bemusement and outright criticism.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• absolute 
• downright 
• pure 
• unequivocal 
• unmitigated 
• utter 
• wholesale