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]
remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.
an out-of-the-way inn up in the hills.
seldom encountered; unusual.
out-of-the-way information.
giving offense; improper.
an out-of-the-way remark.
distant from more populous areas
uncommon or unusual
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]
Taken care of, disposed of, as in I'm glad we got these details out of the way .
In a remote location, as in This restaurant is a little out of the way . [Mid-1300s]
Unusual, remarkable, as in It was out of the way for him to praise his staff . [Second half of 1500s]
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 .
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
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
This shop was out in the suburbs, too far to walk and too out-of-the-way to take a minibus.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
