out-of-the-way

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

• bizarre
• bizarro
• cranky
• crazy
• curious
• eccentric
• erratic
• far-out
• funky
• funny
• kinky
• kooky
• kookie
• odd
• off-kilter
• off-the-wall
• offbeat
• outlandish
• outré
• peculiar
• quaint
• queer
• queerish
• quirky
• remarkable
• rum [chiefly British]
• screwy
• spaced-out
• strange
• wacky
• whacky
• way-out
• weird
• weirdo
• wild

Examples of out-of-the-way in a Sentence

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

Many who were imprisoned there, and at similar camps scattered in out-of-the-way corners of the country, spent the rest of their lives trying to erase the memory. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Label and stack them in an out-of-the-way place, like under the sink or the linen closet. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Also included are gratuities, access to the spa facilities, Wi-Fi and shuttles from the port to the city center when the ship docks in out-of-the-way locations. —Ramsey Qubein, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024

If the plant is completely dead, the material can be piled up in an out-of-the-way place on your property or buried deeply. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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