Cool MateOutsider vs To them you're just a freak
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Outsider
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
To them you're just a freak
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: OutsiderMost common: Outsider
| Outsider | To them you're just a freak | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌaʊtˈsaɪdə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌaʊtˈsaɪdər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tə ðɛm jʊər dʒʌst ə friːk//🇺🇸 //tə ðɛm jʊr dʒʌst ə frik// |
| Meaning | A person who is not part of a group or community. | They think you are strange. |
| Example | Here she felt she would always be an outsider. | At school, to them you're just a freak because you love classical music. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | complete, political, social, feel, feel like, outsider to, complete, rank, outsider in | just a freak, look like a freak, be seen as a freak, act like a freak, freak of nature |
| Antonyms | insider, member, belonger | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'outsider' to refer to someone who is simply new to a place, without considering their social integration., Confusing 'outsider' with 'outcast'; an outsider is not always rejected., Using 'outsider' in a sentence where 'insider' would be more appropriate. | 'Freak' used with a negative connotation only., Confusing 'freak' with 'weird' without understanding context., Using 'freak' in overly formal or serious conversations. |
| Usage notes | The term is used in both formal and informal contexts, often to describe someone who doesn't belong to a specific social group. It can carry a negative connotation if implying exclusion. | Use 'freak' in informal contexts to describe someone who is very different or unconventional. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Outsider vs To them you're just a freak
What's the difference between Outsider and To them you're just a freak?
Outsider: A person who is not part of a group or community. To them you're just a freak: They think you are strange.
Which is more formal: Outsider and To them you're just a freak?
Outsider is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Outsider and To them you're just a freak?
Outsider is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Outsider: Here she felt she would always be an outsider. To them you're just a freak: At school, to them you're just a freak because you love classical music.
Can I use Outsider and To them you're just a freak interchangeably?
Not always. Outsider and To them you're just a freak are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.