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

Jean has a knack of finding the most interesting and out-of-the-way locales to share with adventurous travelers like ourselves. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024

Kalaupapa in Hawaii is one of the most out-of-the-way sites in the US National Park Service. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024

This was surprising to learn, given the very quiet, out-of-the-way location—but that’s exactly the appeal for those who want to go off-grid. —Alice Cary, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2024

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, 12 Aug. 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