outlier

/ˌaʊtˈlaɪər/

/ˈaʊtlaɪə/

Other forms: outliers

In statistics an outlier is a piece of data that is far from the rest; think of a graph with dots, where most dots are clustered together in the middle, but one dot, the outlier, is at the top.

Think of an outlier as an outsider. An outlier refers to anything that strays from, or isn’t part of, the norm. If you like to sleep in a tent in the backyard while your neighbors and family sleep in their beds, you’re probably an outlier. You may also be an outlier if you have to travel far to your job. In geology, rock that is separated from another rock formation is called an outlier.

Definitions of outlier

1. noun

   an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization
   synonyms: exception

   type of:

   example, illustration, instance, representative

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group
2. noun

   an extreme deviation from the mean
   type of:

   deviation

   the difference between an observed value and the expected value of a variable or function
3. noun

   a person who lives away from his place of work
   type of:

   occupant, occupier, resident

   someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there