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Definition of outskirt

outskirt

/ˈaʊt.skɜːrt/
out · skirt
Plural:outskirts
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outskirt Lexical Profile

outskirt Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An outer border, boundary, or outlying district of a city, town, or region (usually used in the plural).

Example

"They bought a quiet farmhouse on the outskirts of the city to escape the heavy traffic."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In modern English, this word is almost exclusively used in its plural form, 'outskirts' (as in 'on the outskirts of town'), while the singular 'outskirt' is primarily encountered as an attributive modifier before another noun.

• Nearby Words

outsize
outsized
outskate
outskirt
outskirts
outsmart
outsource

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from 'out-' and 'skirt' in its older sense of a border, boundary, or outlying edge, which itself derives from Old Norse 'skyrta' (shirt or kirtle).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Outskirt. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/outskirt
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