outskirts

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outskirts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the areas that are located on the edge of a town or city, usually where there is less social and economic activity. Example Sentence: The small town on the outskirts of the city was quiet and peaceful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"O thou who are close to God, be the middle man between us and God," bellowed the preacher, prompting a noisy chorus of tearful sobs from the crowd in Jamkaran, a 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-oldskirts of the holy city of Qom, home to Iran'shrinegions ruling esthelishment.

The Guardian

Michael Foxley, a former Highland council leader who lives on the outskirts of Fort William, said his friend Kennedy had gone to ground after his election defeat and they had not spoken since.

The Guardian

He hailed from Timperley on the outskirts of Manchester, claimed to still live with his mum and sang songs with titles like Christmas is Really Brilliant and I'm the Urban Spaceman.

The Guardian - Film

At the time, the RUC was facing the enmity of not only the Provisional IRA but also extreme loyalists, who were burning police officers out of their homes because the force had been asked to physically defend the new Anglo-Irish Secretariat building on the outskirts of east Belfast.

The Guardian

A new multi-ethnic housing scheme at Ilićka, on the outskirts of town, has now become almost entirely Serb, after returning Bosniaks and Croats sold the houses they received.

The Guardian

A few weeks after appearing as Rubens' Blue Boy in a fancy dress pageant in the Eumundi school of arts, the boy was dumped in a bleak Catholic boarding school on the outskirts of Brisbane.

The Guardian

Several dozen men from the 108th, who had been stationed on the outskirts of Debaltseve, arrived in Artemivsk and, on command, fired their Kalashnikov assault rifles into the air until their magazines were empty.

The Guardian

We are in Le Conversation on Doheny Drive, on the outskirts of Beverly Hills.

The Guardian - Film

The festival will alsofeature a sinister sound sculpture by Janek Schaefer, who lived as a child on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.

The Guardian - Arts

Apparently the mail was last seen drifting around the outskirts of Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Film

She has no car and two kids, while the supermarket is on the outskirts of town and the takeaway is next door.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outskirts", consider the connotation you want to convey. It can suggest a place is less developed, more rural, or simply further from the city center. Choose it when you want to emphasize this distance or difference.

Common error

Avoid using "outskirts" and "suburbs" interchangeably. "Outskirts" generally refers to the edge of a town or city, while "suburbs" are residential areas located outside a city but are often connected and dependent on it.

Linguistic Context

The noun "outskirts" primarily functions as a location specifier, indicating a position at the edge or periphery of a town or city. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Travel

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "outskirts" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe areas located on the periphery of a town or city. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to provide spatial context, indicating a location relatively distant from the center. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, although its use is appropriate across various registers, maintaining a neutral tone. When using "outskirts", be mindful of its connotation, which can imply distance or a difference in development compared to the city center. Consider synonyms like "suburbs" or "periphery" for nuanced meanings. By understanding its correct usage and potential substitutions, you can effectively incorporate "outskirts" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outskirts of the metropolis

Specifically refers to the periphery of a very large city.

suburbs

Implies a more residential area outside a city, often with a commuter population.

edge of town

A more informal and direct way of describing the outer limits of a town.

periphery

Refers more generally to the outer boundary or edge of an area, not necessarily a city.

outlying districts

Similar to outlying areas but implies more defined administrative regions.

outlying areas

Emphasizes the distance and separation from the central area.

fringes

Suggests a less defined and possibly less developed area on the edge.

environs

A more formal term for the surrounding district or area.

outer limits

Highlights the boundary or furthest extent of a place.

surrounding areas

A broader term that includes all areas around a central location, not just the edge.

FAQs

How do you use "outskirts" in a sentence?

You can use "outskirts" to describe a location at the edge of a town or city. For example, "The factory is located on the outskirts of town".

What are some synonyms for "outskirts"?

Some synonyms for "outskirts" include "suburbs", "periphery", and "edge of town".

What's the difference between "outskirts" and "suburbs"?

"Outskirts" generally refers to the edge of a town or city, while "suburbs" are residential areas outside a city, often connected and dependent on it.

Is it correct to say "on the outskirts" or "in the outskirts"?

The correct preposition to use with "outskirts" is "on". Therefore, "on the outskirts" is the correct phrase.