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.

---

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

---

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; see origin at out, right

Explanation

If you do something outright, you do it in a wholehearted, unrestricted way. If you declare outright that you’re never eating another cupcake, that’s the end of that. If you eat one anyway, you told an outright lie. If an event is cancelled outright, there's no question about it being rescheduled, and if you buy a new car outright, you pay for it all at once, instead of making monthly payments. Outright means direct and immediate — whether it's an adverb or an adjective: "The child's outright refusal to put on his shoes exasperated his babysitter." It can also mean “right away.” If you step on a slug, you’ll probably kill it outright. Ew.

Example Sentences

Members of the panel recommended the officers’ certifications be suspended or revoked outright.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

He doesn’t condemn the pursuit outright, but you can feel him biting his tongue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Musk launched his own xAI the following year, and positioned himself as an outright rival to his old nonprofit.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026

The outright and immediate abolition of the leasehold system in England and Wales would be "almost certainly impossible", the housing minister has said.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

What would have happened if I had asked her outright whether she was a spy?

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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