General
outback
What does outback mean?
The vast, remote and arid interior of Australia, more remote than 'the bush'.
"They drove for days through the outback."
Origin
From 'out back' (beyond the settled areas); 19th-century Australian.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'the outback' mean?
The outback is the vast, remote, arid interior of Australia, far from the coast and even more remote than 'the bush'.
Where does the word 'outback' come from?
It comes from the phrase 'out back', meaning the land out beyond the settled areas, and dates to 19th-century Australia.
Is the outback the same as the bush?
No. The bush covers rural and wild country generally, while the outback specifically means the deep, dry, sparsely populated inland.
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