outlying

American  

[aut-lahy-ing] / ˈaʊtˌlaɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. lying at a distance from the center or the main body; remote; out-of-the-way.

   outlying military posts.

2. lying outside the boundary or limit.

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outlying British  

/ ˈaʊtˌlaɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. distant or remote from the main body or centre, as of a town or region

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Etymology

Origin of outlying

First recorded in 1655–65; out- + lying ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outlying

But the judge demanded to know the postcodes where Bush had conducted funerals and explored whether jurors could be brought in by coach from outlying areas.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

After the meeting, Kingsnorth said, “We’re ready to pause if we need to because of the outlying state of the world.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026

Although recovery efforts were under way in parts of the city, some outlying areas remained at risk as a nearby river overflowed, forcing another 500 people to evacuate on Thursday morning.

From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026

Beijing quickly retaliated by sending Chinese coast guard vessels into waters around disputed islands and military drones near an outlying Japanese island.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 30, 2025

Jonas had crossed it on school trips, visiting the outlying communities, and he knew that the land beyond the bridge was much the same, flat and well ordered, with fields for agriculture.

From "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

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Related Words

• backwoods
• far-flung
• faraway
• outer

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