out-and-out

adjective

ˌau̇t-ᵊn(d)-ˈau̇t How to pronounce out-and-out (audio)
Synonyms of out-and-outnext
: being such completely at all times, in every way, or from every point of view
an out-and-out fraud

Synonyms of out-and-out

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Examples of out-and-out in a Sentence

an out-and-out cheater at every game she plays her story is not just an exaggeration, it's an out-and-out lie mounted an out-and-out effort to find the lost child
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But no one has just been out-and-out hostile to him. — Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026 First off, the Atlas is an adventure tourer rather than an out-and-out adventure bike. — Utkarsh Sood june 16, New Atlas, 16 June 2026 More than 550 people attended to cheer on the eclectic group of trailblazers, stars and out-and-out icons. — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025 Makhadmeh was right, as yellow cards for simulation are rarely awarded when there is contact, being reserved for out-and-out dives. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for out-and-out

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of out-and-out was in 1813

Rhymes for out-and-out

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Browse Nearby Words

out and away
out-and-out
out-and-outer
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Cite this Entry

“Out-and-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-and-out. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

out-and-out

adjective
ˌau̇t-ᵊn-ˈ(d)au̇t
: being exactly what is stated : complete, thoroughgoing
an out-and-out crook

More from Merriam-Webster on out-and-out

Nglish: Translation of out-and-out for Spanish Speakers

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