: being such completely at all times, in every way, or from every point of view
an out-and-out fraud

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.
Even if military support for Ukraine increases dramatically, the prospect of an out-and-out Ukrainian victory, one that results in the reestablishment of Ukraine’s pre-war borders with Russia, seems highly unlikely. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025 And for out-and-out authoritarians in the MAGA coalition, eliminating nonpartisan civil servants fits with the goal of giving Trump and his allies more control over federal agencies. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 Before Forest’s away trip to Brentford in the same month, Nuno had never started with an out-and-out back three in the Premier League this season. Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025 But with just one out-and-out winger now available (Stephy Mavididi), a tactical switch might help their cause, even with the existing personnel. Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Out-and-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-and-out. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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