What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
castaway
Example
The shipwrecked sailor survived as a castaway on the deserted island for months. [castaway: noun]
Example
She felt like a castaway in the big city, far away from her family and friends. [castaway: adjective]
outcast
Example
He was treated as an outcast by his classmates because he was different. [outcast: noun]
Example
The homeless man felt like an outcast, ignored and invisible to the people passing by. [outcast: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outcast is more commonly used than castaway in everyday language. Outcast is a versatile term that can be applied to various situations of social exclusion or rejection, while castaway is less common and typically used in specific contexts related to being stranded or marooned.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between castaway and outcast?
While castaway is associated with a more adventurous or survivalist tone, outcast is generally used in a neutral or slightly negative tone. Both words can be used in informal and formal contexts depending on the situation.
