# outcast

/ˈaʊtˌkæst/ (US) · /ˈaʊtkɑːst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/outcast
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verb 'to feel' or 'to become'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.