Outlying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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outlying

[ˈaʊtlaɪɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in statistics

Situated far from the center; remote; distant.

Synonyms

distant, far-flung, peripheral, remote.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
outlying	Used to describe areas that are situated far from the central or main areas of a place. Generally used in a geographic or administrative sense. The outlying villages are often disconnected from the main city services. He lives in an outlying district that takes an hour to reach by car.
remote	Describes something located far apart or distant in space. Often connotes isolation or difficulty in reaching. The remote island had no direct transport links to the mainland. She found it hard to stay in touch with her family while living in such a remote area.
distant	Refers to something that is far away in space or time. It can be used both for physical distance and abstract concepts like relationships. They traveled to a distant country for their honeymoon. She has a distant memory of her childhood home.
far-flung	Implying a very great distance, often used to describe places that are spread out over a large area or far from each other. The company has offices in far-flung corners of the world. Expeditions to far-flung regions often face extreme challenges.
peripheral	Means on the edge or periphery of something, often used in relation to vision, geographic locations, or secondary importance. His role in the project was peripheral but still valuable. They lived on the peripheral areas of the city, where housing was cheaper.

Examples of usage

The outlying areas of the city have less access to public transportation.
There are outlying regions in the country where internet connectivity is poor.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in a group or system

Not conforming or fitting in with the usual or expected pattern.

Synonyms

atypical, deviant, nonconforming, unusual.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
outlying	Used to describe something distant or remote from the center or main area, such as regions or places. The outlying villages are often less developed than the central town The doctor visited the outlying clinics to provide medical care
nonconforming	Describes someone or something that does not conform to set standards or expectations, often used in business or social contexts. Her nonconforming attitude made her an outcast at work Nonconforming products are usually returned to the manufacturer
deviant	Has a negative connotation and is used for behaviors or actions that deviate significantly from the accepted norms, often in a social or legal context. The police arrested him for his deviant activities Deviant behavior is often frowned upon in conservative societies
atypical	Used when referring to something that is not typical or standard, often in clinical or technical contexts. An atypical symptom can sometimes complicate diagnosis The student's behavior was atypical for someone of his age
unusual	Refers to something that is not common or ordinary, can be used in a variety of informal or formal contexts. It's unusual to see snow in this region during summer The design of their house is quite unusual and stands out

Examples of usage

His outlying behavior made him stand out from the rest of the team.
The outlying data points were considered outliers in the analysis.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Geography

In geography, outlying areas are often rural destinations, far from major cities or urban centers.
Outlying islands can refer to land masses that are separated from larger continents or groups of islands.

Statistics

In data analysis, outliers are data points that differ significantly from other observations, indicating unusual values.
Identifying outlying points in a data set is crucial for maintaining relevancy in statistical conclusions.

Psychology

Outlying behavior can suggest non-conformity, which some psychologists study to understand individuality in societies.
People who live in outlying communities may experience different psychological effects due to isolation or unique social dynamics.

Pop Culture

In movies or books, characters who are seen as outlying often challenge societal norms, creating interesting narratives.
The concept of an outlying hero can be found in various stories, representing those who stand apart from the crowd.

Origin of 'outlying'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'utlīcan', which means 'to lie outside'.
It combines 'out', meaning 'away from', and 'lying', referring to position.

The word 'outlying' originated from the verb 'outlie' which means 'to be situated far from the center'. It has been in use since the late 16th century, primarily in the context of describing areas or things that are located at a distance from the central point. Over time, 'outlying' has evolved to also describe things that do not conform to the usual pattern or behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,203, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12200 layered
12201 circulate
12202 shakes
12203 outlying
12204 reorganized
12205 weathered
12206 treacherous
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