outlandish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outlandish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is weird, unusual, or far from being ordinary. For example: "The clown's outlandish costume was a mix of bright colors and patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

· He tapped the country's vast wealth from gas for outlandish projects including a huge manmade lake in the Kara Kum desert, a vast cypress forest to change the desert climate, an ice palace outside the capital, a ski resort and a 130ft pyramid.

The Guardian

If years of CBeebies has taught us anything, it's that the more outlandish the puppet-friend, the more beneficial its company will prove to child development.

The Guardian - Opinion

The exhibition, sponsored by both Clarks and Agent Provocateur, will explore the history of how and why women, and some men, have worn outlandish shoes in the pursuit of a certain look – and the pleasure we derive from shoes, perhaps over any other fashion item.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the X-Factor economies of Britain and America, you may no longer be able to count on a decent job, affordable home or moderate pension, but still you are offered visions of outlandish success – whether in singing (for the glamorous) or business (for the rest of us).

The Guardian - Opinion

Its cosmopolitan vibe (all those students from London with their outlandish hair and clothes and their universal love of Joni Mitchell) may have been intimidating, but I didn't have to apologise for my accent or love of theatre any more.

The Guardian - Film

Dr Mark Porter, the leader of the British Medical Association, criticised the "outlandish and unrealistic election pledges" made by all the parties.

The Guardian

Instead, the best views are from the Jeddah-Mecca Highway, where the clocktower appears to rear out of the barren landscape in such an outlandish fashion it looks as if it has been drawn on to the skyline.

The Guardian - Arts

It was unique to each and every one who was there and, with each retelling, it seemed to become ever more outlandish.

The Guardian - Sport

The suggestions received by the panel in the past few months have ranged from the outlandish – a London Eye-like installation called the Sudarshan Chakra, the spinning disc of death wielded by the god Vishnu – to the everyday: most people asked for parks and promenades and water transport.

The Guardian

Speaking of the double winners, theirs was another season of records at Sun Ra levels: they were both plentiful and outlandish.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was Musk's most outlandish technology proposition to date, the "Hyperloop" project proposed in August, that won him the most headlines.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "outlandish". While it can be used neutrally, it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that something is not only strange but also perhaps impractical or inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "outlandish" excessively in formal writing or professional settings. While it can add color to your descriptions, more neutral alternatives like "unconventional" or "unorthodox" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Outlandish" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something as strikingly unconventional or bizarre. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct adjective, used to denote things that deviate significantly from the norm, evident in Ludwig's examples featuring "outlandish projects" and "outlandish shoes".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outlandish" functions as an adjective denoting something bizarre or unconventional, with a slightly negative implication. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and the frequency is very common. While its usage is widespread, particularly in news and media contexts, it's advisable to use it judiciously, especially in formal writing. Consider more neutral alternatives when necessary, and be mindful of the potential for negative connotations. Remember that while the term is widely used and understood, other more precise options may exist to better suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bizarre

Implies strangeness and unexpectedness, often deviating sharply from the norm.

eccentric

Suggests a deviation from conventional behavior or appearance, often in a charming or quirky way.

peculiar

Indicates something unusual or odd, often drawing attention due to its distinctiveness.

unconventional

Highlights a departure from established norms or practices.

unorthodox

Similar to unconventional, but often used in more formal contexts to describe methods or beliefs.

abnormal

Signifies a deviation from what is expected or considered typical.

preposterous

Indicates something utterly absurd or ridiculous, often to the point of being unbelievable.

ridiculous

Suggests something laughable or deserving of mockery due to its absurdity.

ludicrous

Similar to ridiculous, but often implies a higher degree of foolishness or senselessness.

fantastic

Implies something unbelievable or extravagantly fanciful, often bordering on the surreal.

FAQs

How to use "outlandish" in a sentence?

"Outlandish" is an adjective typically used to describe something that is bizarre, strange, or unconventional. For example: "His claims about alien encounters were completely outlandish."

What can I say instead of "outlandish"?

You can use alternatives like "bizarre", "eccentric", or "unconventional" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "outlandish" a positive or negative word?

While "outlandish" isn't inherently negative, it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that something is not only strange but also perhaps impractical or inappropriate. Its effect is contextual and should be carefully considered.

Which is correct: "outlandish idea" or "outlandishness idea"?

"Outlandish idea" is correct. "Outlandish" is an adjective, modifying the noun "idea". "Outlandishness" is a noun, and wouldn't fit grammatically in that phrase. You could say "the outlandishness of the idea".