Word
outlaw
Phoneticsout·law, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˌɫɔ/
UK/ˈaʊtlɔː/
Definitions
01a fugitive
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who has broken the law and is hiding from the police, especially in stories about the past.
n. a person who has broken the law and remains at large; historically, a person deprived of the protection of the law.
Español:forajido
“The famous outlaw hid in the forest to escape the king's soldiers.”
“Historical accounts of the American West often romanticise the outlaw as a misunderstood hero rather than a violent criminal.”
02to make illegal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law
v. to make something illegal so that people are not allowed to do it.
v. to prohibit something by making it illegal through legislation or official decree.
“The government decided to outlaw smoking in all public parks.”
“The new legislation aims to outlaw predatory lending practices that target vulnerable households during economic downturns.”
03humorous term for in-laws
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Humorous · Informal
n. a funny way to talk about your relatives by marriage, like your husband's or wife's parents.
n. a humorous play on the word 'in-law', used to refer to a relative by marriage.
Español:forajido
“We are spending Christmas with the outlaws this year.”
“He jokingly referred to his wife's boisterous brothers as the outlaws whenever they visited for the weekend.”
Synonyms
Usage
Commonly used in historical or Western contexts; can also be used as a verb meaning to make something illegal.
Real-World Examples
“There are links to outlaw motorcycle gangs, and it’s not impossible that that’s why he was killed.” Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0