out-and-out

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'out-and-out' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective which means "complete or absolute"; for example, "He's an out-and-out liar".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Still others were out-and-out crooks.

The New Yorker

It's an out-and-out trend".

The New York Times

This sounds like out-and-out protectionism.

The Economist

Most desserts were out-and-out delicious.

The New York Times

There was no out-and-out sparkler.

The Guardian - Business

I picked two out-and-out wingers".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

They're out and out bums".

The New York Times

That is out and out funny".

Independent

He is out and out rude.

The New Yorker

"It's the out and out winner," said Sarah Beeny.

Independent

But did he root, out and out, for that result?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out-and-out" to add emphasis when describing something as completely or absolutely a particular thing, especially when conveying strong feelings or judgments.

Common error

Avoid using "out-and-out" in highly formal or technical writing; opt for more neutral synonyms like "completely" or "absolutely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out-and-out" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to emphasize the completeness or absoluteness of a quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. For example, "an out-and-out lie" indicates a complete and undeniable falsehood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out-and-out" is a frequently used adjective phrase to emphasize the completeness or absoluteness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting instead for synonyms like "completely" or "absolutely" where appropriate. Its purpose is to intensify descriptions, leaving no doubt about the quality being described, as demonstrated in numerous examples. Remember to hyphenate it correctly for clarity. With a strong presence in authoritative sources, "out-and-out" remains a valuable tool for expressive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely

Highlights the lack of any doubt or qualification.

utterly

Emphasizes the extreme degree or extent.

totally

Emphasizes the complete or full extent.

completely

Focuses on the completeness of the action or state.

entirely

Stresses the wholeness or undivided nature.

thoroughly

Indicates a comprehensive or exhaustive quality.

wholly

Similar to entirely, but can sometimes carry a more formal tone.

downright

Suggests bluntness or directness in the description.

pure

Implies freedom from anything extraneous or contaminating.

unadulterated

Stresses the genuine and untainted nature.

FAQs

How can I use "out-and-out" in a sentence?

Use "out-and-out" to describe something that is completely or absolutely a certain way. For example, "That was an out-and-out lie" or "He's an out-and-out professional".

What are some alternatives to "out-and-out"?

You can use alternatives like "completely", "absolutely", or "utterly" depending on the specific context.

Is "out and out" the same as "out-and-out"?

While "out and out" might be understood, the correct and more commonly accepted form is "out-and-out" with hyphens. This ensures clarity and adherence to standard writing conventions.

What's the difference between "out-and-out" and "downright"?

Both "out-and-out" and "downright" suggest something is absolute, but "out-and-out" often emphasizes completeness, while "downright" can imply bluntness or directness. Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.