1
: unusual
out-of-the-way information
2
: being off the beaten track
an out-of-the-way restaurant

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 June 2025 For the more goal-oriented, Free Roam also dots the countryside with collectible medallions and question-mark panels in out-of-the-way locations that usually require a bit of platform-game ingenuity to collect. ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025 Oklahoma City and Indianapolis are out-of-the-way markets, their stars don’t move the needle, a Finals in the (supposed) hinterlands will send the national TV ratings into the tank, etc. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 6 June 2025 In many cases, simply reaching the P-Switch is half the challenge, requiring some inventive wall-riding or item use to get to a particularly out-of-the-way corner of the map. ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of out-of-the-way was in 1704

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Cite this Entry

“Out-of-the-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-of-the-way. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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