outlaw

outlaw — noun

1. especially in earlier times, a criminal who stayed away from normal society whil

1.nounB2
Definition

especially in earlier times, a criminal who stayed away from normal society while trying to avoid being caught.

Example

The outlaw hid in the hills above the mining town.

pattern: the outlaw + action

Children in the play chased an outlaw across the wooden bridge.

Common collocations
  • capture an outlaw
  • hunt an outlaw
  • famous outlaw
  • live as an outlaw
Synonyms
  • fugitive

    stresses that the person is running from the police or court

  • criminal

    is broader and does not suggest living in hiding

  • bandit

    often suggests a robber, especially in stories or history

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

an outlaw

hunt an outlaw

live as an outlaw

Usage Note

Often brings to mind older stories about robbers on the run. Distinguish it from a mere rebel or nonconformist: this core sense refers to someone treated as a real criminal.

Common Mistakes

My uncle is an outlaw because he hates office rules.
My uncle is a rebel.
outlaw usually refers to an actual criminal or fugitive, not just someone who dislikes rules.

outlaw — verb

Word family

  • outlawry
    nounC2
  • outlawed
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, outlaw is an official word for making an activity, product, or practice against the law. Ban is broader and more everyday: a teacher can ban phones, but a teacher does not usually outlaw them. Prohibit is more formal and often appears in notices, contracts, or written rules. Criminalize is even more specific, because it means turning an act into a crime that can lead to legal punishment. Bar can mean block or refuse, so it is often less legal than outlaw. A government can outlaw animal fights, a school can ban them, and a new law can criminalize them if people still continue.

outlaw ↗ban ↗prohibit ↗criminalizebar ↗

Etymology

Old NorseOld EnglishEnglish

Outlaw goes back to Old English utlaga and the related verb utlagian. These forms were influenced by Old Norse utlagi and were built from words meaning 'out' and 'law'. The earliest idea was not simply 'criminal' but a person put outside the law's protection.