What does "outlaw" mean?
A fugitive from the law.
Outlaw
/ˈaʊt.lɔ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A fugitive from the law.
- Grammar: outlaw is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: criminal, felon, abstract, actionable.
- Useful contrasts: allowed, honest citizen, immunity.
- Usage evidence: The government acted boldly to deal with the outlaw uprising.
How to use "outlaw"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "outlaw" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "outlaw" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "outlaw" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "outlaw" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "outlaw" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "criminal" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "outlaw", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A fugitive from the law.
"“I am going to a certain tower, one of three that were built in my grandsire’s time to guard Lantern Waste against certain perilous outlaws who dwelled there in his day. […]""
- 2 someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime wordnet
- 3 A criminal who is excluded from normal legal rights; one who can be killed at will without legal penalty.
- 4 A person who operates outside established norms.
"The main character in the play was a bit of an outlaw who refused to shake hands or say thank you."
- 5 A wild or violent animal, such as a horse.
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 An in-law: a relative by marriage. humorous
- 7 One who would be an in-law except that the marriage-like relationship is unofficial. humorous
- 8 A prostitute who works alone, without a pimp. slang
"Without a pimp, she was an "outlaw," likely to be harassed, or threatened with assault or robbery on the street."
Verb
- 1 To declare illegal. transitive
- 2 declare illegal; outlaw wordnet
- 3 To place a ban upon. transitive
"The legal change in England and Wales will outlaw selling, manufacturing, renting or importing zombie knives."
- 4 To make or declare (a person) an outlaw. transitive
"Eirik and his people were outlawed at Thorsnes Thing."
- 5 To remove from legal jurisdiction or enforcement. transitive
"to outlaw a debt or claim"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To deprive of legal force.
"our English common law was outlawed in those parts."
Adjective
- 1 disobedient to or defiant of law wordnet
- 2 contrary to or forbidden by law wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname transferred from the nickname.
"In the book, Nathan Outlaw offers helpful advice and tips on buying the freshest fish and shellfish in a sustainably responsible way."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The government acted boldly to deal with the outlaw uprising."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "outlaw"?
Common synonyms include: criminal, felon, abstract, actionable, against the law, alien.
How do you use "outlaw" in a sentence?
The government acted boldly to deal with the outlaw uprising.
How do you pronounce "outlaw"?
Pronounced /ˈaʊt.lɔ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English outlawe, outlagh, utlaȝe, from Old English ūtlaga (“outlaw”), borrowed from Old Norse útlagi (“outlaw, fugitive”), equivalent to out- + law. Cognate with Icelandic útlagi (“outlaw”).
Etymology 2
From outlaw, a nickname for someone who no longer had the protection of the law.