útlægir

útlægir is an Icelandic word that functions as an adjective and, in some contexts, as a noun. It is the masculine plural nominative form of the adjective útlægur, which means external, outside, or foreign. In Icelandic, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and definiteness, so other forms exist (for example feminine plural and neuter forms) to match different nouns.

Usage tends to reflect two main senses. First, a general sense of being external or outside a boundary, whether physically (a part of something on the outside) or abstract (an external factor). Second, in social, political, or scholarly contexts, útlægir commonly refers to people who are considered outsiders or non-members of a group—such as immigrants, minorities, or others perceived as not belonging to a community. The precise connotation depends on context and tone, and it can be neutral or carry evaluative nuance.

Examples in context include the phrases útlægir aðilar (outsiders or external actors) and útlægir einstaklingar (outsider individuals). The gendered forms of the adjective are used to agree with the noun they describe, so the feminine and neuter forms appear when appropriate.

See also: Icelandic language, adjectives, sociolinguistic terms for social groups.