Meaning & use
outrageous
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
So shocking or unfair that it makes people angry.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a linking verb: an outrageous lie; it's outrageous.
Patterns
- it's outrageous that something
- outrageous behavior
It's outrageous that they charged him twice.
The senator's outrageous remarks caused an uproar.
Paying that much for a sandwich is outrageous.
adjectivecomparableinformal
Very unusual or extreme in a way that is surprising or amusing.
Grammar: Informal use; often positive: an outrageous costume.
Patterns
- outrageous costume
She wore an outrageous hat covered in feathers.
The comedian told outrageous stories.
His outrageous sense of humor made everyone laugh.
Word forms
| comparative | more outrageous |
|---|---|
| superlative | most outrageous |
Common combinations
- outrageous price
- The hotel charged an outrageous price for breakfast.
- outrageous behavior
- Such outrageous behavior will not be tolerated.
- outrageous claim
- He made an outrageous claim with no evidence.
- simply outrageous
- The delay was simply outrageous.
- outrageous costume
- She loves wearing an outrageous costume.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shocking
- Shocking is general, while outrageous implies anger at something unfair.
- scandalous
- Scandalous suggests public disgrace, which is narrower.
- extreme
- Extreme just means far beyond normal, with no sense of anger.
- preposterous
- Preposterous stresses absurdity more than anger.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: outrageous or courageous?
outrageous vs courageous
Courageous means brave, and shares an ending with outrageous but has an unrelated meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'outrageous' to mean 'shockingly unfair'?
Choose one answer.
Only the first uses outrageous for unfair pricing. The others are unnatural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outrageous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.