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Outcast: meaning, definitions and examples

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outcast

 

[ˈaʊtˌkæst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

rejected individual

A person who has been rejected or ostracized by society or a particular group, often for not conforming to social norms or expectations. Outcasts may experience feelings of loneliness, alienation, and isolation.

Synonyms

exile, misfit, outlier, outlier, pariah.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outcast

Used to describe someone who has been rejected or ostracized by society or a social group.

  • After the scandal, he felt like a social outcast at work
pariah

A person who is despised or rejected by society, usually carrying a strong negative connotation.

  • After the scandal, he became a pariah and was shunned by his community
outlier

Refers to a person or thing that is different from others in a specific context, often used in statistical or analytical settings.

  • In the study, his results were considered an outlier and were excluded from the final analysis
misfit

Describes a person who is not suited to a particular environment or group, often feeling uncomfortable or not accepted.

  • She always felt like a misfit in her conservative hometown
exile

Typically refers to someone who has been forced to leave their country, either for political reasons or as a punishment.

  • The former king lived in exile for many years after the revolution

Examples of usage

  • He felt like an outcast in his own family, always being treated differently.
  • She became an outcast at school after standing up against bullying.
  • The outcast sought refuge in the wilderness, away from judgmental eyes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Middle English 'outcast', meaning someone who is thrown out or rejected.
  • It combines 'out', meaning outside, and 'cast', meaning to throw.
  • The term has been used since the 14th century to describe those who were shunned or isolated.

Literature

  • The theme of being an outsider appears in many classic novels, such as 'The Catcher in the Rye' where the protagonist feels disconnected from society.
  • In Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet', characters experience outcasting due to family feuds, highlighting the emotional turmoil of exclusion.
  • Modern literature often explores the lives of outcasts, such as in 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', shedding light on the struggles of fitting in.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, outcasts are often associated with societal taboos, leading to stigmatization and discrimination.
  • Historical 'untouchable' classes in India illustrate the extreme social stratification and exclusion faced by certain groups.
  • In various tribal communities, being labeled an outcast can sometimes result in being cast away from the tribe, affecting survival and social systems.

Psychology

  • Being considered an outcast can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, impacting mental health and well-being.
  • Studies show that social rejection activates the same brain regions associated with physical pain, indicating a profound psychological effect.
  • An individual’s sense of belonging is crucial for emotional health; when that is disrupted, it can lead to identity crises.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Mean Girls' and 'The Breakfast Club' portray the dynamics of high school social hierarchies and the experience of being an outcast.
  • In music, many artists use themes of being an outcast to resonate with listeners, conveying messages of empowerment through acceptance of one's uniqueness.
  • Fitness and wellness communities increasingly highlight the stories of personal transformation, encouraging those who feel like outcasts to embrace their individuality.

Translations

Translations of the word "outcast" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pária

🇮🇳 त्यागा हुआ व्यक्ति

🇩🇪 Ausgestoßener

🇮🇩 orang buangan

🇺🇦 відщепенець

🇵🇱 wyrzutek

🇯🇵 追放者

🇫🇷 paria

🇪🇸 paria

🇹🇷 dışlanmış

🇰🇷 추방자

🇸🇦 منبوذ

🇨🇿 vyvrhel

🇸🇰 vyvrheľ

🇨🇳 被排斥者

🇸🇮 odpadnik

🇮🇸 útskúfaður

🇰🇿 қуғындалған

🇬🇪 გარიყული

🇦🇿 kənarlaşdırılmış

🇲🇽 paria

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,421, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.