outlying

adjective

out·​ly·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌlī-iŋ 

: remote from a center or main body

outlying areas

Examples of outlying in a Sentence

the outlying areas of the city

Recent Examples on the Web

Blackouts in the capital, unlike in much of the rest of the country, are largely scheduled, and far shorter than in the outlying and more rural provinces, where outages sometimes span 15 hours or more per day. —Reuters, NBC news, 15 May 2025

Today, the remaining drive-ins can be counted on one hand: the Malt Shop, Frosty Drive N in Denton and Theo’s Drive-In in Grand Prairie, and maybe a couple more in outlying towns. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025

Among the more than 300 comments, many Facebook users thought the restaurant was not understanding of outlying circumstances. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 13 June 2025

Give yourself a week to explore the outlying islands beyond São Miguel, because each has its own unique attributes. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outlying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• relying
• replying
• stupefying
• supplying
• undying

Kids Definition

outlying

adjective

out·​ly·​ing ˈau̇t-ˌlī-iŋ 

: being far from a center or main body

an outlying suburb