noun
outlaw
OWT-law
noun
1
A person who has broken the law and is hiding or on the run from it.
"The gang of outlaws hid out in the hills for months."
"In old Western films, the sheriff always chases down the outlaw in the end."
verb
1
To make something illegal, or to declare a person an outlaw.
"The new law outlawed the sale of the drug nationwide."
"Several countries have outlawed single-use plastic bags."
How to Use Outlaw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who breaks the law and lives beyond its protection, or (as a verb) to ban something by law.
Common mistake
As a verb it means "to ban," not "to punish" — you outlaw an activity, you don't outlaw a person for a crime.
Common pairings
a wanted outlaw
outlaw a practice
declared an outlaw
Word Forms
outlawed past tense, outlaws plural, Outlaws plural, outlaws singular
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Etymology
From Old English utlaga, "outlaw," borrowed from Old Norse utlagi — someone put "outside the law." Same out- root as outside and outward.