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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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-the-way out of the way

Do we really need reminding, when far from home, not to stop our vehicles in out-of-the-way areas on nights when nobody’s around and even the moon has chosen to hide?

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 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

Setting aside some out-of-the-way spaces for ground-nesting bees allows everyone to coexist more happily.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

He did say the campaign’s strategy of directing surrogates like Mr. Newsom and Mr. Landrieu to out-of-the-way rural towns was an effort to increase turnout in counties that often underperform in the state’s elections.

From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2024

He and his manager found an out-of-the-way spot on one side of the platform as the roadies and producers got things rolling.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Let’s get the awkward stuff out of the way: the inheritance belongs to him.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 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

Cats might hop onto counters and knock over dishes, so keep them out of the way, Dresser said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

It says Starlink satellites will move out of the way when the chance of a collision exceeds three out of 10 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

“Once they’re out of the way, then you three ’ightail it for the Duchess’s suite.”

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck