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Definition of outskirts

outskirts

/ˈaʊtˌskɜːrts/
out · skirts
Plural:outskirts
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outskirts Lexical Profile

outskirts Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The outer parts, districts, or edges of a town, city, or region, situated farthest from its center.

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

"Outskirts" is a plural-only noun (pluralia tantum) typically preceded by "the" and the preposition "on" (e.g., "on the outskirts of town"). The singular form "outskirt" is virtually obsolete in modern English.

• Nearby Words

outsized
outskate
outskirt
outskirts
outsmart
outsource
outsourcer

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 16th century, notably used by William Shakespeare, the word combines "out-" with "skirt" in its older sense of a border, boundary, or outlying edge, which itself derives from Old Norse skyrta.

Cite this Entry

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