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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

outskirts

OWTS-kurts

Outskirts (noun) means the outer areas of a town or city, away from its center. Example: “They bought a house on the outskirts of the city.”

noun
1
The outer areas of a town or city, away from its center.
"They bought a house on the outskirts of the city."
"The factory was built on the outskirts, away from residential areas."

How to Use Outskirts

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe edges of a town or city, farthest from the center.

Common pairings
outskirts of town on the outskirts

Word Forms

outskirt singular

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Test yourself on “outskirts” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They bought a house on the _____ of the city.

edges periphery fringes environs

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “outskirts” mean?

The word “outskirts” means the outer areas of a town or city, away from its center. In plain terms, the edges of a town or city, farthest from the center.

How do you pronounce “outskirts”?

“Outskirts” is pronounced OWTS-kurts (/ˈaʊtskɝts/ in IPA).

How do you use “outskirts” in a sentence?

Here is “outskirts” used in a sentence: “They bought a house on the outskirts of the city.”

What part of speech is “outskirts”?

“Outskirts” is a noun.

Is “outskirts” a common word?

“Outskirts” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Is outskirts always used in the plural form?

Yes, outskirts is almost always used in the plural, as in "the outskirts of town," rather than as a singular noun.

What is the difference between outskirts and suburbs?

Outskirts refers broadly to the outer areas of a town or city away from its center, while suburbs specifically describes residential districts located outside the main city area.

Can outskirts refer to something other than a city?

Outskirts is typically used to describe the outer areas of a town or city, away from its center.

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