Phrase guide

out of the way

adj · adv · prep_phrase · 12 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Alternative form of out-of-the-way (“remote or secluded”).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Unusual or out of the ordinary.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Improper or offensive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

Unusually or excessively.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

prep_phrase

Meaning 5

So as not to obstruct or hinder; not in the way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Please move your bike out of the way.
  • I was elbowed out of the way by the bouncer.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

prep_phrase

Meaning 6

Taken care of; handled.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Now that the main problems are out of the way, we can start working on the details.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adverb

Meaning 7

so as not to obstruct or hinder

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • put that box out of the way so that no one trips on it

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adverb

Meaning 8

dealt with; disposed of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I'm so relieved that my midterm is out of the way

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

adverb

Meaning 9

murdered

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the mob boss wanted his rival out of the way

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

adverb

Meaning 10

in a remote location or at a distance from the usual route

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the restaurant is top-notch, but a little out of the way

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

adverb

Meaning 11

improper; amiss;

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

adverb

Meaning 12

extraordinary; unusual

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • such erratic behavior was out of the way for him

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: aus dem Weg — not in the way
  • Italian: dal passaggio — not in the way
  • Latin: āvius — not in the way
  • Romanian: la o parte — not in the way