WordGarden.iooutright
A1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈaʊˈtraɪt/
Meanings
Adjective
complete, total, or unqualified
paid for, sold, or owned in full without installments or shared claim
Adverb
completely or flatly
openly and directly, without hedging
Beyond the definition
"Outright" usually describes something complete, direct, or immediate. You might win a competition outright, meaning you win clearly without a tie-breaker or second round. Someone might reject an idea outright, meaning they refuse it completely at once. It can also strengthen a noun, as in an outright lie or an outright ban, where the idea is total and clear.
It can also appear in money or ownership contexts. If you buy a house outright, you pay the full price and own it fully, without a loan. In all of these uses, the word adds a sense of completeness and finality rather than something partial, delayed, or limited.
The word "outright" usually signals that something is complete, direct, or immediate. In many cases, it adds a sense of finality. For example, "She rejected the offer outright" means she refused it completely at once, with no sign that she might change her mind.
"Outright" is versatile, acting as both an adjective and an adverb. As an adverb, it often describes something done fully or immediately: "He won the election outright" means he secured victory without needing a runoff, and "They refused outright" means they said no without delay or hesitation. As an adjective, it strengthens a noun by showing that something is total or unmistakable: "an outright lie," "outright hostility," or "an outright ban." In some contexts, especially with accidents or violence, it can mean "instantly" or "on the spot," as in someone being killed outright.
The word also has an important sense in buying and ownership. If you buy something outright, you pay for it in full and own it completely, without borrowing, leasing, or paying in parts. This use is common with houses, cars, land, and business deals.
Historically, "outright" comes from Middle English and carried the idea of something direct or straight out. That older sense still shows in modern usage. Whether it describes a clear victory, a flat refusal, full ownership, or a complete falsehood, "outright" tells you that there is nothing partial, softened, or delayed about it.
Examples
- 1
Buying
After years of saving, Maya bought the car outright.
- Patternbuy + object + outright
pay the full price at once, without a loan
- 2
Rejection
The manager rejected the idea outright.
- 3
Denial
He denied the accusation outright.
- 4
Direct statement
She told me outright that she was unhappy with the plan.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports result
Their team won the final outright, with no need for extra time.
- 6
Strong judgment
Calling it a mistake is too kind; it was an outright lie.
- 7
Complete ban
The school introduced an outright ban on phones during exams.
- Phrasean outright ban
a complete ban, not just limits
- 8
Mild criticism
He was not outright rude, but his answers were cold and short.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- categorically
- flatly
- in full
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- reject outright
- deny outright
- ban outright
- buy outright
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- outrightadjectiveadverb