An outlaw is someone who breaks laws or lives outside society's rules, often with bad intentions. Think of an outlaw as a rebellious person.
When we talk about outlaws, we usually think of people like cowboys and bandits from old Western movies. They're often seen as rough riders, stealing money or causing trouble in the lawless frontier. But the word can also apply to people who break modern laws, like thieves or gang members. In a more general sense, an outlaw can be anyone who doesn't fit into traditional society - someone who's considered rebellious or against the rules. This might be a person who refuses to follow authority, breaks social norms, or lives outside of mainstream culture.
Note: The word 'outlaw' is also used as a verb, meaning to declare someone an outlaw and banish them from society.
How common is "outlaw"?
Word outlaw is considered uncommon in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
A fugitive from the law.
(history) A criminal who is excluded from normal legal rights; one who can be killed at will without legal penalty.
A person who operates outside established norms.
Example: The main character in the play was a bit of an outlaw who refused to shake hands or say thank you.
A wild horse.
An in-law: a relative by marriage.
One who would be an in-law except that the marriage-like relationship is unofficial.