out of the way

1 of 2

phrase

1

: wrong, improper

didn't know I'd said anything out of the way

2

a

: in or to a secluded place

b

: unusual, remarkable

there's nothing out of the way about the plan

3

: done, completed

got his homework out of the way

out-of-the-way

2 of 2

adjective

ˌau̇t-ə(v)-t͟hə-ˈwā 

1

: unusual

out-of-the-way information

2

: being off the beaten track

an out-of-the-way restaurant

Synonyms of out of the way

Adjective

• bizarre
• strange
• weird
• odd
• funny
• peculiar
• curious
• erratic
• eccentric
• remarkable
• unusual
• crazy
• quaint

Examples of out of the way in a Sentence

Adjective

the night watchman calls the police if he notices any out-of-the-way activity taking place during his shift

there was nothing out-of-the-way about the hitchhiker's appearance that might arouse suspicion

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The out-of-the-way restaurant became an international destination spot, not just for gourmands but for intellectuals, artists, and celebrities including Burt Lancaster, Gerard Depardieu, and Robert De Niro. — Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Bald-faced hornet nests that are high up in trees or in an out-of-the-way place pose no danger. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Along Fence Lines and Retaining Walls Poison ivy grows best in out-of-the-way spaces that aren’t disturbed regularly. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026

The real challenge became luring travelers off the main highway to their out-of-the-way, mountaintop garden. — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for out of the way

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• companionway
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• gramineae

Kids Definition

out-of-the-way

adjective

ˌau̇t-ə(v)-t͟hə-ˈwā

1

: being off the usual paths

an out-of-the-way village

2

: not commonly found or met : unusual

the store specializes in out-of-the-way books