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• out-of-the-way
  out-of-the-way

  adjective

  remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.
• out of the way
  out of the way

  Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

out-of-the-way

American  

[aut-uhv-thuh-way] / ˈaʊt əv ðəˌweɪ /

adjective

1. remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.

   an out-of-the-way inn up in the hills.

2. seldom encountered; unusual.

   out-of-the-way information.

3. giving offense; improper.

   an out-of-the-way remark.

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out-of-the-way British  

adjective

1. distant from more populous areas

2. uncommon or unusual

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out of the way Idioms  

1. Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

2. Taken care of, disposed of, as in I'm glad we got these details out of the way .

3. In a remote location, as in This restaurant is a little out of the way . [Mid-1300s]

4. Unusual, remarkable, as in It was out of the way for him to praise his staff . [Second half of 1500s]

5. Amiss, in error, improper, as in The security guard checked all the locks and saw nothing out of the way . [Early 1200s] Also see go out of one's way .

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Etymology

Origin of out-of-the-way

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-the-way out of the way

But Mr. Morby does just that, with a track that sets the scene for big feelings unfolding in out-of-the-way places.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

A piece of Fern’s called out societal expectations that a woman “unobtrusively gather up her thimble and, retiring into some out-of-the-way place, gradually scoop out her coffin with it.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

Most of Sheridan’s hit streak is built around the strivings of rough men willing to do whatever it takes to rule out-of-the-way corners of the country.

From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2025

Without Ticketmaster’s support, band members had to work out all the touring details themselves as they went to out-of-the-way venues that weren’t used to hosting rock concerts.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2024

Anything special and important, he’d hide in an out-of-the-way place that nobody’d find.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

In the kitchen, the other robot picked up a spoon rest and placed it out of the way as it began cleaning the counter.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

"Some parents think 'I need to be a snowplough parent and plough all of these obstacles out of the way'."

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Successful Emmy hosts also understand that the mission is to get out of the way, not make the night about themselves.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026

For that reason alone, they want him out of the way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

Brigit lobbed another shoe in his direction, and he cartwheeled out of the way, the little jingles on his hat tinkling.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

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