MEANING
The outer areas of a town or city.
Use it for
Uneven urban expansion; peripheral services; arrival at townStage an approach to or departure from the built-up center.
Words that belong together
- on the outskirts
- northern outskirts
- outskirts of the city
On the page
The outskirts were full of repair shops and unfinished housing.
On the outskirts of town, the last bus turned back.
They could afford a larger home only by moving to the outskirts.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- outskirts
Usage notes
Primary category: setting. Normally a plural noun taking plural agreement; commonly on the outskirts. Refers to an urban edge, not any remote terrain. Plural-form noun in ordinary use; takes plural agreement. Outskirt is a dictionary singular but uncommon for this sense.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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