Word
outcast
Phoneticsout·cast, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˌkæst/
UK/ˈaʊtkɑːst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is not accepted or welcome in a group or society. You feel like an outcast when others avoid you or treat you like you do not belong.
n. a person who has been rejected or excluded from a social group, community, or society. Often implies a state of social isolation resulting from non-conformity or perceived differences.
Examples
“He felt like an outcast after his friends stopped talking to him.”
“After questioning the village's ancient traditions, the young man became a social outcast and lived alone in the hills.”
“The novel explores the psychological toll of being a political outcast, forced to navigate a society that systematically erases the history of those who dissent.”
Examples
simple
“He felt like an outcast after his friends stopped talking to him.”
contextual
“After questioning the village's ancient traditions, the young man became a social outcast and lived alone in the hills.”
complex
“The novel explores the psychological toll of being a political outcast, forced to navigate a society that systematically erases the history of those who dissent.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'to feel' or 'to become'.
Etymology
From Middle English outcasten, equivalent to out- + cast.
From Middle English outcaste, outecaste, equivalent to out- + cast.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/outcast