out-and-out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“How can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing and look at what can improve in terms of safety. But act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

"Because there's not been an out-and-out left-back, it's an opportunity for someone. Every single other position you can pretty much say 'that's their first choice'," she added.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

And so he employs other tools: the hunch, the educated guess, even out-and-out speculation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

But after years of dabbling in pop and hip-hop, Yungblud seemed to reintroduce himself with the widely praised “Changes” performance as an out-and-out rocker.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

Either that, or that particular cabdriver was an out-and-out louse.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath