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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  

[out-uhv-thuh-wey] / 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

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

Glendale, Pasadena and other more out-of-the-way areas don’t offer the same draw as more desirable and conveniently located areas such as downtown L.A. and near Los Angeles International Airport.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 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

Mary Ester was also where one of her favorite pitstops was — a quaint, out-of-the-way cafe with wonderful coffee and homemade sweets.

From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2024

Claudia would also drive him to and from certain out-of-the-way Los Angeles destinations; otherwise he was quite adept at traveling by bus to wherever he wanted to go.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

He’s willing to place intriguing romantic possibilities in Wendy’s path that she obliviously kicks out of the way, making the point that love is capricious.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 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

“Even in the parts of it that are a loss, the judge went out of the way to write it in a way that is guidance,” he said of Copeland’s decision.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

The way the television broadcast was played out, it sounded as if Ferrari decided to pit Leclerc for fresh tyres to get him out of the way.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

I think she was relieved to get me out of the way for a while.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman