Definition

A person who receives medical treatment at a hospital or clinic but does not stay overnight.

Example

The outpatient received treatment for his injury and went home the same day.

Conversation

Did you hear about Sarah's visit to the hospital yesterday?

Yeah, she went as an outpatient, right?

Exactly! She just needed a quick check-up without staying overnight.

That sounds convenient; I hope everything went well for her.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Outpatient → It is formed from "out-" (meaning outside) and "patient" (from Latin "pati", meaning to suffer or endure). The term "outpatient" refers to a patient who receives medical treatment without being admitted to a hospital, thus remaining outside of it.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'outside' ('out-') the hospital while still receiving care, which is what an outpatient does.

Visually Confused Words