outright

American  

[out-rahyt, out-rahyt, -rahyt] / ˈaʊtˌraɪt, ˈaʊtˈraɪt, -ˌraɪt /

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.

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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 British  

adjective

1. without qualifications or limitations

   outright ownership

2. complete; total

   an outright lie

3. straightforward; direct

   an outright manner

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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

Etymology

Origin of outright

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

Example Sentences

The league could escalate from fining teams to outright revoking their draft picks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iran appeared to show an openness to compromises that it had rejected outright in the past.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some analysts are now intrigued by the possibility of a breakup or outright sale of the company.

From MarketWatch

You have to upload documents, which sometimes need to be clarified, and other times are rejected outright.

From MarketWatch

We own our cars outright, but they are old.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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