outlaw - Master This Word

outlaw Word Meanings

• a person who breaks the law
• someone living outside the law
• to declare illegal or ban

outlaw Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• The outlaw stole a horse.
• They chased the outlaw through the woods.
• The story is about a famous outlaw.
• He became an outlaw to fight for justice.
• The outlaw was caught by the sheriff.

outlaw Word Etymology

Outlaw: out- = outside + law = rule. Originated from Old English 'utlawe' meaning 'one who is outside the law'. Visualize a bandit living in the wild, free yet defying society's rules.

Real Context

An outlaw is typically someone who breaks the law, or someone who lives outside the bounds of conventional rules. In historical contexts, outlaws were often declared outside legal protection, pursued by authorities, or banished from a region. The noun outlaw can refer to a person who commits crimes or to a figure living beyond society's formal rules. The verb to outlaw means to declare something illegal or to ban its sale or use by law. The term carries strong imagery of rebellion, danger, and punishment, and its usage can carry moral judgments depending on the era and country. In modern media, you may hear it in westerns or crime stories.

Usage Reminders

• Outlaw can be a noun or a verb.
• Usually refers to someone living outside the law, especially in historical contexts.
• To outlaw means to declare something illegal by law.
• The noun often carries strong imagery of rebellion and punishment.
• In modern policy language, 'to outlaw' a practice is common; 'an outlaw' is less common in everyday speech.

Common Misconceptions

• Outlaw does not simply mean 'not legal' today; it implies a person who lives outside the law or is explicitly banished by authorities.
• The verb outlaw is not the same as 'ban' or 'prohibit' in casual speech; it is a legal act to declare something illegal.
• An outlaw is not necessarily a violent person; historical outlaws could be petty criminals or political rebels.
• ‘Outlaw’ as a noun is rarer in everyday speech outside historic or fictional contexts.
• Do not confuse outlaw with 'criminal' in broad use; a criminal is a person who commits crimes, whereas an outlaw is framed by law and social status.

Thinking Differences

In English, outlaw blends a criminal image with an outsider status; learners should note the historical and literary weight, and that the verb form is more policy/legal, while the noun form can imply social exile.

Learning Tips

• Memorize both noun and verb forms: outlaw (n) and to outlaw (v).
• Learn common collocations: outlawed, outlawing, outlaw status.
• Compare with criminal and outlawed to sense shifts.
• Watch historical or Western contexts to hear authentic usage.
• Practice by making sentences about laws and bans, not just crime.
• Note pronunciation: /ˈaʊtˌɒːl/ or /ˈaʊtlaʊ/ depending on accent.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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